Flash flood threat over 20 million in Texas, Louisiana

A significant and prolonged flood threat is unfolding across the South, with heavy rainfall already causing dangerous flash flooding in Texas and placing millions of residents from Texas to Mississippi on alert for the rest of the week. The situation is fueled by deep tropical moisture interacting with a stalled frontal boundary, with the potential for a low-pressure system to develop in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico.

Flood watches are in effect for more than 20 million people from central Texas through Louisiana and into central Mississippi. The Weather Prediction Center has issued a Level 3 out of 4 risk of flash flooding for parts of the region from Monday, June 15, through Thursday, June 18, a rare consecutive-day warning not seen in the United States since July 2025. Forecasters warn that some areas could see 5 to 10 inches of rain, with isolated totals exceeding 10 inches possible, particularly around Houston.

The impacts began over the weekend. In central Texas, emergency crews conducted multiple water rescues. In Waco, flooding on Interstate 35 stranded vehicles and required rescues on Sunday night. A Texas Game Warden captain said he had not seen flooding like that in...