Weather Alerts Issued for 6 States as 'Significant' Flooding Expected

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flood watch for six states on Friday morning as meteorologists warned of "significant" flooding.

The storm was expected to arrive late Friday morning and persist through Saturday afternoon, the alert said. Impacted states are Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and a small portion of North Carolina.

"Heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding is expected to arrive as late this morning and may persist through early Saturday afternoon," the warning issued by the NWS office in Birmingham said. "Rainfall amounts of 2 to 5 inches with locally higher amounts are likely. Heavy rainfall that occurs is expected to rapidly run off due to fairly wet soil conditions currently in place across central Alabama. Flash flooding will be possible as a result, along with rises on small streams and drainage basins."

NWS meteorologist Jason Holmes told Newsweek that on average, Birmingham typically receives 5.66 inches of rain in March.

"We are looking at a slow-moving system that's going to be pushing to the southeast across Louisiana," Holmes said. "Here already this morning we've had one wave of showers across east-central Mississippi starting to move into Alabama right now."

Holmes said several more waves of rain showers and storms are expected throughout the day.

"That activity will be moving from west to east across the area here for the rest of today with increasing chances tonight and tomorrow," Holmes said. "It is a prolonged event with several hours of moderate to heavy rainfall particularly this afternoon and evening."

All of central Alabama is impacted by the flood watch, as is all of much of central and southern Mississippi, much of central and northwest Georgia, northwest South Carolina, southwest North Carolina and northeast Louisiana.

"SIGNIFICANT FLASH FLOOD POTENTIAL AND CHANCE FOR SEVERE STORMS TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING: A Moderate Risk (3 of 4) of flash flooding will exist along and south of I-20, where 2 to 5 inches of rain is forecast with locally higher amounts," the NWS office in Birmingham posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday morning.

A severe thunderstorm warning and severe weather statement also were issued for central Mississippi.

"At 813 AM CST, a severe thunderstorm was located near Harperville, or 11 miles north of Forest, moving east at 45 mph," the NWS warning said, adding that wind was gusting to 60 mph and there was quarter-sized hail.

"Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees," the warning said.