A large storm system that pummeled Wisconsin over the weekend, turning streets to rivers and forcing officials to shut down the State Fair, will bring flooding rains to several states across the central U.S., meteorologists said on Aug. 11.
The slow-moving system is forecast to dump heavy rain across Arkansas and Oklahoma, with expected rainfall rates up of 2 to 3 inches per hour, according to the Weather Prediction Center. "Flash flooding is likely," forecasters said.
Just before 4 a.m. local time, the weather service office in Norman, Oklahoma, issued a flash flood emergency warning residents that flooding was either ongoing or expected to begin shortly. The warning said 2 and 5 inches of rain had fallen and that meteorologists were expecting up to 3 more inches of rain.
Across both states, flood and thunderstorm advisories were in effect.
Over the weekend, the storm system brought record rainfall amounts to Wisconsin. The Milwaukee area saw some of the worst conditions, with over a foot of rain falling, triggering a county-wide emergency declaration as floodwater trapped people in their cars.
