Today Brings the Most Dangerous Flash Flood Risk of the Week

It has been a deadly week of weather, with at least three fatalities attributed to severe storms in the Midwest. Unfortunately, forecasters are now warning that another round of heavy rain and severe storms could unleash life-threatening flash flooding on Thursday across the Ohio Valley and the Appalachians. Here is what you need to know.

Severe Weather Pattern Persists in Ohio Valley and Beyond

Over 800,000 customers lost power this week as severe storms roared through the nation's midsection. Several waves of storms are forecast to push through the central and eastern U.S. on Thursday, continuing the trend of volatile weather that has marked the week. The repeated nature of the rain storms will raise the threat of flash flooding for millions of Americans.

Thursday's threat of severe storms will stretch from the far northeastern corner of Colorado well into the Ohio Valley. While some lingering storms could continue to cause problems in the northern Plains, the core of the storms will shift farther to the east. The primary threats associated with this line of storms are flash flooding and destructive winds. The latest forecast models signal that the chance of flooding will increase in the latter part of the day, peaking in the overnight hours under the cover of darkness.

A widespread zone of 2 to 4 inches through Thursday is on tap for a swath of land from eastern Iowa and into southwestern Pennsylvania, the northeastern edge of Tennessee, and the far western border of Virginia. This impact zone includes the communities of Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Cincinnati.

Within this broader zone, a more concentrated area should expect 4 to 8 inches of rain by the time that Friday dawns. This area stretches from north-central Indiana and through most of West Virginia. Cities that need to be cognizant of this risk include Fort Wayne, Indiana; Charleston, West Virginia; and Columbus, Ohio.

Life-Threatening Flash Flooding Possible Through Friday

The copious amounts of moisture circulating in the atmosphere will result in a higher chance of localized flash flooding. Campers and hikers spending time near streams vulnerable to flash flooding will want to keep tabs on the forecast and be ready to move to higher ground if needed. Water levels can rise quickly in small streams, turning a day in the Great Outdoors into a life-threatening situation in a hurry. Be sure to enable all weather smartphone notifications if spending time outside when rain is in the forecast.

The White, Big Blue, and Whitewater rivers in Indiana are the most likely areas to experience major flooding through the end of the week. This is the same general area that saw flooding that prompted evacuations earlier in the week. In addition, areas surrounding Ohio's Hocking River are under the threat of minor to moderate flooding through Friday.

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