Tropical moisture from Hurricane Norma moved into the Southern Plains where some cities are seeing three inches of rain in less than a day.
Tropical moisture touched off across Parts of Texas and Oklahoma Wednesday as the remnants of merge with a surge of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and a cold front sweeping across the nation’s heartland to produce a swath of heavy rain and even a risk of .
As much as 3 to 5 inches of rainfall is expected across portions of , and southern through Thursday afternoon. Already areas of central Texas have seen 2 to 3 inches of rain and it continues to fall.
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Some isolated spots in the southern Plains could even receive 5 to 8 inches of rain.
While the storm will put a dent in a lingering and widespread , an abundance of rain quickly falling is leading to fears of
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NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center has now highlighted an area of central Texas into southern Oklahoma as a Level 3 out of 4 risk of flash flooding Wednesday, signifying at least a 40% chance of flash flooding within 25 miles of any given point with the threat zone.
Terrell County Sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland shared this video of rushing floodwaters taken early Wednesday morning. Heavy rainfall produced from the remnants of Hurricane Norma led to flash flooding across the Plains.
A lower Level 2 flash flooding risk extends farther north into Oklahoma, including , and into southeastern Kansas, including . Flood Watches are in effect for the same area through Thursday afternoon.
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Much of Texas and Oklahoma will see some from the super-soaker storm, but communities west of have been getting the bulk of the moisture – from along the Texas- border northward into Oklahoma City and central Oklahoma.
Downpour east of Weir, Texas. Oct. 23, 2023.
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Severe storms also threaten southern Plains Wednesday
It’s not just flooding rain threatening the southern Plains on Wednesday: Isolated strong to severe are also possible as storms roll through.
and locally strong gusts up to 60 mph will be possible with this activity, according to NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center.
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Storms to dent, but not eliminate, severe drought
If the storms can keep the flash flooding impacts at bay, the rain is undoubtedly welcome news for communities that have been dealing with conditions, water restrictions and even crop failures.
More than 88% of Texas counties are experiencing abnormally dry conditions, with similar figures in Dallas and about a foot or more below average for rainfall totals for this time of year.
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But while any rain helps, the precipitation will not be enough to end the drought. Many communities will likely finish the year with rainfall deficits.
Rainfall from remnants of Hurricane Norma
This rainfall comes from what was once Norma, a former that weakened to a Category 1 storm ahead of its landfall south of Cabo San Lucas, , last weekend.
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A flooded street is seen before the arrival of hurricane Norma in Los Cabos, Baja Californa state, Mexico on October 21, 2023. (Joel Cosio / AFP)
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A sailboat runs aground on the beach on October 21, 2023 in La Paz, Mexico. (Alfredo Martinez)
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Sailboats stranded on the beach due to strong waves and wind on October 21, 2023 in La Paz, Mexico. (Alfredo Martinez)
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Strong waves crash against the sea wall on October 21, 2023 in La Paz, Mexico. ( Alfredo Martinez)
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A restaurant remains closed before the arrival of hurricane Norma in Los Cabos, Baja Californa state, Mexico on October 21, 2023. (Joel Cosio / AFP)
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A man watches the water level rise during a severe storm and flooding as Hurricane Norma beings to make landfall on October 21, 2023 in La Paz, Mexico. (Alfredo Martinez)
Norma brought large waves, and high to the western coast of Mexico, which has been over the past several weeks.
overlooking Cabo San Lucas reported multiple wind gusts of more than 90 mph, with a peak gust of 107 mph.
Norma has since dissipated after making a second landfall along the west coast of mainland Mexico on Monday morning, but its lingering moisture spread into the southern Plains this week, enhancing the flooding threat.