Photo: Moment RF
Torrential rain continues to batter the East Coast, with heavy rainfall expected throughout the weekend. The region is still reeling from Thursday's (August 20) severe thunderstorms, which produced at least two tornadoes and widespread flash flooding along the Interstate 95 corridor in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic. Now, the threat is shifting south, impacting the Carolinas and Virginia.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, thunderstorms are expected to begin in the afternoon in Virginia and the Carolinas, with more intense storms developing in the evening. These storms could bring heavy rain and wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour. The National Weather Service has issued a Level 2 out of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms across central North Carolina and South Carolina, including cities like Raleigh, Charlotte, and Columbia.
A broader Level 1 flood threat stretches from just south of Washington, D.C., to Tallahassee, Florida. As reported by the New York Post, the stalled cold front is expected to allow more storms to develop over the same areas, potentially leading to further flooding.
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for New York City and Philadelphia due to intense rain rates between 2-3 inches per hour. The forecast predicts widespread rainfall totals of 2 to 3 inches from North Carolina to coastal New Jersey, with localized amounts of 3 to 5 inches possible.
The heaviest rain is expected in areas already dealing with severe to extreme drought across the Carolinas and Virginia. The flash flood risk could be upgraded in the coming days if the forecast holds.