Weather Alerts Issued for Four States as 'Severe' Storm About to Hit

The National Weather Service (NWS) Storm Prediction Center has issued a warning about severe thunderstorms expected to hit four states by Wednesday.

Multiple storms will begin to move through the central Gulf Coast states beginning on Wednesday morning. The Storm Prediction Center warned that "all forms of severe weather will be possible," including widespread and strong tornadoes and significant, severe winds.

Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida are the states at the highest risk.

"Numerous severe thunderstorms are probable beginning Wednesday morning across parts of the central Gulf Coast States. These will include potential for both tornadoes, some of which could be strong (EF2-EF3), and widespread damaging wind swaths with embedded gusts over 75 mph," the Storm Prediction Center posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday morning with a map of the biggest threat areas.

The highest threat area encompasses eastern Louisiana, including Baton Rouge; southern Mississippi, including Jackson; and a small portion of western Alabama, according to the map. A slight risk stretches into the Florida Panhandle and could affect Pensacola, Tallahassee and Panama City.

"Severe thunderstorms, heavy flooding rain, and strong winds are coming up on Wed Night into Thursday," the NWS office in Tallahassee posted on X. "Minor coastal flooding, life-threatening high surf at the beaches, and gales over the Gulf are also on tap. Check your severe weather plan, and check back Wed."

In addition to the severe thunderstorms, a flood watch has been issued for Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

The storms are expected to bring heavy rainfall. Up to 9 inches of rain is expected in some areas over several days, posing a flood risk.

"Widespread rainfall amounts near two inches have been common across much of the Four State Region through early Tuesday Morning with some isolated locations across Northeast Texas and Northern Louisiana having seen totals as high as 4 to 6 inches," the NWS said in its flood watch report.

"Look for additional rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches through the day Wednesday with some locations across North Louisiana and South Central Arkansas possibly seeing an additional 6 to 9 inches," the report added.

The Little Rock, Arkansas, area already received around 3 inches of rain Monday night and is expecting another 4 to 6 inches, NWS meteorologist Tabitha Clarke told Newsweek. Typically, the region receives between 1 and 2 inches of rain during the first week or so of April.

"It's not unusual for spring to get that much rainfall, but it is a lot at one time to get it," Clarke said.

The excessive rainfall "could result in very serious flooding concerns," particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

"Area waterways will continue to respond as well with additional rises (some significant) possible," the flood watch report said.

Other areas of heavy rainfall include the Jackson, Mississippi area, where up to 8 inches of rain is expected.

The flood watches remain in effect through Wednesday evening and Thursday morning.