The city of Atlanta is facing a soggy situation as heavy rains continue to soak the region, leaving the ground squishy and streets muddy with red Georgia clay. And just when residents thought they might catch a break, another storm is looming on the horizon, threatening to bring even more rain to the Eastern United States.
Forecasters are particularly concerned about the excessive rain that is expected to hit Atlanta on Friday into Saturday, with estimates ranging from two to five inches. The already saturated ground from Wednesday’s storm will struggle to absorb any new rainfall, increasing the risk of flash flooding in the area.
In fact, the National Weather Service office in Atlanta has warned that if the region receives the higher end of the forecasted rainfall, it could lead to substantial flash flooding and rapid rises in already elevated waterways. The situation is further exacerbated by the wet conditions in other parts of the East, such as the Northeast, where more rain is expected over the weekend.
To make matters worse, severe storms with damaging wind gusts could potentially produce tornadoes in Atlanta early Sunday morning. While tornadoes are more likely to form west and south of the city on Friday, the ongoing storms in Texas could move eastward, creating a tornado risk along the Gulf Coast states.
Despite some uncertainty from forecasters on the severity of the tornado threat, the ingredients needed for tornado formation are present, raising concerns for the coming days. The forecast could change depending on the warm conveyor belt of moisture drawing across the South and into the Northeast, with the potential for storms to train across the region and create localized heavy rainfall.
Overall, the flood risk in the South is expected to persist for some time, with more rain likely toward the end of next week. Residents are advised to stay vigilant and be prepared for continued wet and soggy conditions in the days ahead.
