Tropical depression Nicholas could still bring "life-threatening" flooding to Gulf Coast
Some southeastern states could face "life-threatening" flash flooding, tornadoes and hail in the next few days as Tropical depression Nicholas continues to batter the Gulf Coast, the National Hurricane Center said Wednesday. Nicholas first made landfall as a hurricane in Texas early Tuesday, just two weeks after Category 4 Hurricane Ida devastated the Gulf Coast.
"This is a very serious storm," Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said Tuesday at a press conference.
Flash flood watches and warnings are in effect in areas along the central Gulf Coast, including parts of southern Louisiana, southern Mississippi, southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. The National Hurricane Center warned of possible tornadoes in those areas as well.
Nicholas, which reached hurricane strength on Monday before weakening after making landfall, is still lingering over Gulf Coast states, and is expected to produce additional rainfall amounts ranging from 2 to 5 inches across the central Gulf Coast with isolated areas of up to 8 inches.
"Considerable flash flooding impacts, especially in urban areas, are possible across these regions," NHC said. "Widespread minor river flooding is expected, while scattered moderate river flooding is possible"
The National Weather Service has forecast the storm to continue slowly drifting eastward in the coming days.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Nicholas was located about 30 miles east-northeast of Lake Charles, Louisiana, and was moving at a pace of around 5 miles per hour. The heaviest rain continues to occur near the coast, the weather service said.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency advised residents in affected areas to get to high ground and to look out for weather developments.
"Take action," the agency said on Twitter Wednesday. "Flash flood is imminent."
#Nicholas will continue to cause life-threating flash floods along the central Gulf Coast. Know the difference between a watch & warning:
— FEMA (@fema) September 15, 2021
🌊 Warning: Take action. Flash flood is imminent, get to high ground.
🌧 Watch: Stay alert. Weather conditions are favorable. pic.twitter.com/TsgZ2vlJdY
Louisiana governor John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency before Nicholas, which is the 14th named storm of the season, made landfall. Texas Governor Greg Abbott had signed a disaster declaration in 17 counties ahead of the storm as well.