Flash flood risk for over 55 million Americans this weekend

 

  

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Flash flood risk for over 55 million Americans this weekend

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Over 55 million Americans are at risk for flash flooding this weekend as severe weather heads toward the Northeast.

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On Location: July 16, 2021

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Portions of the Northeast are nearly five times wetter than average for July so far. New York and Boston both could approach all-time wettest July before the month's end.

© Iron County Sheriffs Dept. via AP A train lays derailed near Lund, Utah,, July 15, 2021.MORE: Catastrophic flooding across western Europe leaves over 100 dead, scores missing

Tornadoes and damaging winds are also possible in the Northeast today.

A slow moving frontal system is bringing very heavy rain from the central U.S. to the East Coast. Over 3 inches of rain caused flash flooding in the Detroit region on Friday. Over 5 inches of rain was reported in Indiana, nearly 6 inches of rain was reported in Illinois, and over 10 inches of rain was reported in Kansas.

© ABC News Flash flood watches are in effect from Indiana to Massachusetts. The rainfall threat across parts of the northeast is particularly concerning. The region is well above average for rainfall.

The system is moving east this morning and will bring more heavy rain to parts of the Ohio Valley and ultimately into the Northeast. Severe storms, including the risk for possible tornadoes and damaging winds will be possible from Maryland to New York today, including Philadelphia and New York City.

© Golder Ranch Fire District via Reuters

Flash flood watches are in effect from Indiana to Massachusetts. The rainfall threat across parts of the Northeast is particularly concerning. The region is well above average for rainfall.

On top of the flash flood watches, severe thunderstorm watches are now in effect across a large swath of the Northeast as well, including Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City. Strong to severe thunderstorms are already firing up in parts of the region.

Strong, potentially damaging wind gusts are the main concern from any severe thunderstorms that move through. Stronger, slow-moving thunderstorms bringing torrential rain also bring the threat of dangerous flash flooding and frequent lightning.

One of these stronger thunderstorms are already impacting parts of northeastern New Jersey into New York City...and it's moving very slowly. The worst of it right now is from Elizabeth to Jersey City, New Jersey, where a flash flood warning has just been issued.

© ABC News Severe storms, including the risk for possible tornadoes and damaging winds will be possible from Maryland to New York today, including Philadelphia and New York City.

New York City has had 8.49 inches of rain so far for the month of July. To put that in context, New York City's average rainfall for all of July is 4.60 inches. The wettest July on record in New York city is 11.89 inches.

Boston has had 8.92 inches of rain so far in July. Boston currently is having it’s third-wettest July on record. The wettest July on record in Boston is 11.69 inches.

The precipitation forecast for storms Saturday and Sunday shows locally over 3 inches of rain. While not a certainty, it is looking possible, that Northeast cities will be approaching or exceeding their wettest July on record -- and that may happen this weekend, in spots.

© Golder Ranch Fire District via Reuters Firefighters rescue a man and two young girls who were stranded after their vehicle was washed away in flash floods near Tucson, Ariz., July 14, 2021.

Flash flooding is a concern. As the ground is very saturated, the heavy rain will likely cause flash flooding very quickly.

Meanwhile, in the West, a heat wave is persisting across parts of the region, but it is not nearly as bad as the last few heat waves have been. In fact, there are only a couple of records being threatened over the next few days.

© Carlos Osorio/AP A semi-trailer drives through a flooded street in Detroit, July 16, 2021.MORE: Millions in West still threatened by 'dangerously' hot temperatures

More concerning is the risk of dry lightning across California and Western Nevada on Sunday night. Dry lightning can quickly start wildfires, that will quickly burn out of control.

Additionally, more monsoon-related flooding will be possible across Arizona and New Mexico.

© ABC News n the west, a heat wave is persisting across parts of the region, but it is not nearly as bad as the last few heat waves have been. In fact there are only a couple of record being threatened over the next few days.

Dozens of uncontained large wildfires continue to burn in the West, including:

-The Beckwourth Complex Fire burning in northern California, near Beckwourth. Currently 105,348 acres, 70% contained.

-The Dixie Fire burning in northern Califormia in Butte County at 9,847 acres and 12% contained.

-The Bootleg Fire burning in southern Oregon, north of the town of Beatty, now at 281,208 acres, 22% contained.

-The River Fire burning in Mariposa County, California, at 9,656 acres and 64% contained.

-The Snake River Complex Fire burning in west central Idaho, not far from the Oregon state line is at 103,907 acres, 31% contained.

-T he Red Apple Fire burning in central Washington state at 11,111 acres and 51% contained.