Flooding threat continues across South as remnants of Arthur move inland
Communities across parts of the South are bracing for additional flooding as heavy rain continues following the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season.
(CNN)- Communities across parts of the South are bracing for additional flooding as heavy rain continues following the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season.
Officials in Louisiana urged residents to prepare for worsening conditions as flood concerns remain elevated.
“You still got some time today to get groceries or medicines, whatever you need to do,” East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sid Edwards said.
The concerns come after Tropical Storm Arthur formed off the Texas coast Wednesday night before weakening and being downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone.
Even before Arthur officially developed, tropical moisture brought heavy rainfall to parts of Texas and Louisiana.
Authorities say at least two people have died in flooding in Texas this week, and forecasters warn the flood threat could continue across portions of the South through Friday.
Residents in flood-prone areas say they remain on edge.
“Hopefully none of me or none of my neighbors can encounter any water in the house. I get nervous and jittery. I do,” Louisiana resident Michael Montgomery said.
Severe weather has also impacted parts of the Midwest.
In Illinois, heavy rain triggered flash flooding while tornadoes caused significant damage. A tornado in Effingham County damaged buildings and scattered debris for more than 20 miles.
Authorities are also investigating a freight train derailment in Illinois that may have been caused by powerful straight-line winds.
The severe weather outbreak stretched across several states Wednesday, producing a hurricane-force wind gust of 94 miles per hour in Iowa and multiple reported tornadoes in Iowa, Indiana and Wisconsin.
Farther south, a possible tornado was caught on camera in Alabama.
Forecasters continue to monitor conditions as communities across the South and Midwest recover from days of severe weather and prepare for additional rainfall.
