Rare ‘high risk’ flash flood warning issued in Texas and Louisiana

A rare “high risk” warning for flash flooding has been issued in Texas and Louisiana as the states prepare for up to 9 inches of rain in the next 24 hours.

“The high-risk area has received more than 600% of its normal precipitation in just the past two weeks,” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warned, and flash flooding could be life-threatening.

“High risk” days make up only 4% of days, but they are responsible for more than a third of flood deaths, according to the Weather Prediction Center.

Precipitation rates could exceed 2 inches per hour.

Storms will first hit Texas Thursday afternoon, bringing the heaviest rain from Dallas to Waco. Damaging winds, large hail and a few tornadoes are also possible.

The worst flash flooding will occur overnight and target eastern Texas and western Louisiana.

Friday morning, the line of storms will continue to move east, bringing a threat of flooding to Louisiana, southern Mississippi and Alabama.

Friday afternoon and evening, another round of severe storms will develop from New Orleans to Birmingham.