Tropical Storm Cindy strengthens over central Gulf of Mexico
Filed under: Projections, US, Weather
Tropical Storm Cindy has strengthened in the central Gulf of Mexico, and it will be a soaker, bringing potentially life-threatening flooding concerns to parts of the Gulf Coast through late this week. Gusty winds, rip currents and isolated tornadoes are also expected.
- The heaviest rain amounts are likely to be on the northern Gulf Coast, including parts of southeast Louisiana, southern Mississippi, southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.
- This swath could see 6 to 9 inches or more of total rainfall by Thursday. Locally extreme rain amounts of 12-plus inches could occur in localized areas, according to the National Hurricane Center.
- Life-threatening flash flooding and river flooding are both likely threats.
- Other parts of the South, including the Florida Peninsula, will also see locally heavy rain at times this week due to the abundant moisture and stalling front. Heavy rain could occur as far west as southeast Texas through Thursday.
- The rain could linger into Friday.
- A high risk of rip currents is likely along parts of the Gulf Coast. High surf and some coastal flooding are also expected. Inundation of 1 to 3 feet above ground level is possible along the coast in the tropical storm warning area, with isolated areas possibly up to 4 feet.
- Gusty winds are likely near parts of the northern Gulf Coast this week, particularly north and east of where the low tracks.
- Isolated tornadoes are also possible through Wednesday from southern Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle.