Weather Update: Could heavy rain and flash flooding disrupt the East Coast as a powerful storm moves East?

A powerful cross-country storm is moving east, bringing heavy rain and a growing flood risk to communities along the East Coast. While parts of Tennessee and Georgia are already dealing with serious flooding, the Northeast is preparing for another round of rain after more than two weeks of dry weather. More than 35 states and 120 million people could be affected by the storm by the end of the week. The Interstate 95 corridor is expected to see some of the heaviest rainfall through Thursday. The inputs are taken from Fox Weather.

What Is the Rain Forecast for the East Coast?

Showers and thunderstorms are expected to move across the East Coast throughout Thursday. More than an inch of rain could fall across much of the I-95 corridor, with some coastal areas from Virginia to southeast New England facing totals of 2 to 3 inches.


The rain is expected to continue into Friday before gradually easing from south to north. On Saturday morning, showers could still linger across southern New England.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood outlook. It shows a Level 1 flash flood risk on Friday for some areas in Suffolk County on Long Island. The same Level 1 risk applies to Connecticut and southeast Massachusetts. A Level 2 risk is in place for Newport and Providence in Rhode Island. The Level 2 risk also covers parts of Massachusetts.

A Wet End to a Long Dry Spell

New York City, Philadelphia and Boston have gone more than two weeks without measurable rain. Much of the Northeast has experienced its longest dry stretch of the year, while drought conditions continue across New England, particularly Maine. The incoming rain could help ease some of the dry conditions. However, heavy downpours may also lead to minor flooding in affected areas.

Flood Emergency at Tennessee-Georgia Border

The storm has already caused serious problems farther south. Early Thursday, torrential rain triggered Flash Flood Emergencies in Polk County, Tennessee, and Fannin County, Georgia. Police in McCaysville, Georgia, urged residents in some neighborhoods to evacuate just before 3 a.m. Swiftwater rescues were underway as floodwater entered multiple homes. The city declared a state of emergency shortly after 5 a.m.

Between 5 and 8 inches of rain fell across much of the area in 12 hours, pushing the Ocoee River into major flood stage. Georgia State Patrol helicopters were placed on standby to assist with evacuations after first light.

Other Parts of the Country Still Face Flood Damage

Severe storms also crossed the South on Tuesday, bringing Tornado Warnings to northern Louisiana. FOX Weather Exclusive Storm Tracker Brandon Copic captured footage of a tornado touching down in Bossier Parish. Meanwhile, flooding continues to affect parts of the Southwest. Roads remain closed in some areas because of damage from historic flooding. Flagstaff police are investigating a second death as potentially weather-related after a body was found in a stormwater drainage area on Monday. Evacuations also remain in place near the San Juan River in New Mexico and Colorado.