Breaking: Severe Flood Warning Issued—Live Updates, High-Risk Areas, and Essential Safety Tips

Intense late-May storms have triggered a string of flash flood warnings across parts of Alabama, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas and neighboring states just as millions of travelers head home from the Memorial Day weekend. The National Weather Service (NWS) says several rounds of slow-moving thunderstorms are unloading 1–3 inches of rain per hour on already saturated ground, rapidly swelling creeks, rivers and low-lying roadways. Widespread Flood Warnings in Effect • Central Alabama: A flood advisory remains in force until at least 3 a.m. local time as torrential downpours push small streams over their banks and create ponding on interstates such as I-65 and I-20. • Eastern Oklahoma & Northwest Arkansas: The NWS Tulsa office expects an additional 1–3 inches of rain through Monday night, with localized totals topping 5 inches where training storms repeatedly pass over the same locations. • Texas Panhandle: Severe thunderstorms near Amarillo are producing wind gusts over 60 mph and rainfall intense enough to trigger rapid rises on normally dry arroyos. Why the Risk Is Rising A slow-moving upper-level low is tapping Gulf of Mexico moisture and steering bands of storms along a stalled frontal boundary. Because the boundary is nearly stationary, storms “train” over the same counties for hours, a classic recipe for flash flooding. Soil moisture analyses show much of the Southern Plains is already above the 90th percentile for late May, meaning the ground can absorb very little additional rainfall before runoff begins. Timing and Impact on Holiday Travel • Peak flooding threat: Late afternoon through the predawn hours when nocturnal storms peak. • Travel snarls: Expect temporary closures on rural highways and secondary roads; portions of US-69 in eastern Oklahoma and AL-22 south of Birmingham are especially vulnerable to water over the roadway. • Air travel: Delays likely at Dallas-Fort Worth, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth and Tulsa International as lightning and low ceilings force ground stops. Safety Tips During a Flash Flood Warning 1. Turn Around, Don’t Drown: Just six inches of swiftly moving water can knock you off your feet, and 12–18 inches can carry away most vehicles. 2. Know your zone: Use weather apps or NOAA Weather Radio to track county-specific warnings. 3. Prepare for power outages: Keep phones charged, stock flashlights and avoid downed power lines hidden by floodwater. 4. Monitor rivers after the rain: River flood warnings often lag a day or two behind heavy rainfall; stay alert if you live near the Arkansas, Red or Mississippi rivers. Climate Context Climate scientists note that a warmer atmosphere holds more water vapor, increasing the odds of extreme rainfall events. Across the Southeast, the heaviest downpours have grown about 20 percent stronger over the past 50 years, according to NOAA climate data. With hurricane season beginning June 1, today’s flash flood warnings are a timely reminder to review evacuation routes and update flood insurance before the next big storm. What Happens Next Forecast models show the upper low finally sliding east on Tuesday, but not before one more round of soaking rain along the Gulf Coast. By mid-week a drier, cooler air mass should bring temporary relief, yet soils will remain saturated. Any additional rain later in the week could rapidly reignite flood concerns, so residents are urged to stay weather-aware. Bottom Line Flash flood warnings are in effect right now because rainfall rates are outpacing drainage capacity. If you receive a flood warning, move to higher ground immediately and avoid flooded roadways. Staying informed and acting quickly can save lives and property during this late-May flood threat.