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The wild weather that dumped a foot of rain or more in parts of Louisiana and Mississippi on June 18 and 19 is forecast to calm by Father's Day, but rainfall and potential flooding are expected across parts of the Central U.S. into early next week.More than 29 inches of rain was reported on June 18 and 19 in Cottonport, Louisiana, much of it within just 12 hours, said Scott Kleebauer, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center. The heavy rain, fueled in part by the remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur, drenched much of the Southeast from Texas to the Florida Panhandle, causing flash flood emergencies, washing out roads, and prompting emergency rescues.Meanwhile, a heat wave left more than 40 million people under heat advisories and warnings amid Juneteenth celebrations. But temperatures are expected not to be quite as hot over the weekend, with few, if any, records forecast to be broken, Kleebauer said.On June 20, a moderate risk of flooding is possible in the four corners area of Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri.What's the forecast?Temperatures are expected to soar on June 22 in parts of Oregon and Washington, possibly hitting 100 degrees in Portland and at least 90 degrees in Seattle.Through the middle of the week of June 23, near to below-normal temperatures are forecast for much of the eastern two-thirds of the country, as a summer cold front moves through.High heat and humidity will continue in Texas, along the Gulf Coast, and in Florida, the weather service said. Heat risk values are forecast to be moderate to major.Above-normal temperatures and dry conditions are forecast across the West, with highs climbing into the 110s in parts of the Desert Southwest midweek.Flash flooding in the SouthThe intense rainfall in the Southeast overnight Thursday, June 18, and into Friday, June 19, created dangerous flooding and sent several rivers to record highs.In Mississippi, Highway 49 was covered with up to three feet of water, stranding cars, local officials reported to the weather service. Homes and businesses were flooded in Seminary, Mississippi.Water rescues also were reported in Mobile, Alabama, the weather service said.That lingering moisture is forecast to linger through at least June 20. Among the rainfall totals (in inches):Louisiana: 29.06 - Cottonport; 22.53 - Plaucheville; 17.66 - Atchafalaya River at SimmesportMississippi: 12.39 - Perkinston; 12.36 Black CreekTexas: 11.41 - Village MillsFlorida: 7.42 - Inlet BeachAlabama: 7.04 - SaralandDinah Voyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, covers climate change, weather, the environment and other news. Reach her at dpulver@usatoday.com or @dinahvp on Bluesky or X or dinahvp.77 on Signal.
