Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and the Carolinas Face 5 to 15 Plus Inches of Rain Over 72 Hours as Flood Watches and Advisories Already Issued Across the South
SOUTHERN UNITED STATES — A 72-hour rainfall forecast issued by the Weather Prediction Center at 1746z Sunday May 24, 2026, valid from 00z Monday May 25 through 00z Thursday May 28, 2026, is showing extreme rainfall totals across the South with purple shading indicating 10 to 15 plus inches across portions of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama on top of rain already falling from a separate trough system. Flood Watches and Advisories have already been issued by the National Weather Service across several areas as the flooding threat escalates.
72-Hour Rainfall Forecast Totals by Region
The WPC QPF map paints a dramatic picture of rainfall accumulation across the country over the three-day period.
72-hour forecast rainfall by region:
| Region | Forecast Total | Color Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Louisiana / Gulf Coast | 10 to 15 plus inches | Purple / Pink |
| Southern Mississippi | 7 to 15 inches | Purple / Blue |
| Southern Alabama | 5 to 10 inches | Blue / Purple |
| Western Tennessee | 3 to 5 inches | Blue |
| Eastern Tennessee / Carolinas | 2 to 4 inches | Blue / Green |
| Mid-Atlantic / Virginia | 2 to 4 inches | Blue / Green |
| Pacific Northwest | 2 to 5 inches | Green / Cyan |
| Northern Rockies | 1 to 3 inches | Green |
| Central Plains / Nebraska / Kansas | Dry, under 0.25 inches | White |
| Northern Plains / Dakotas | Dry, under 0.25 inches | White |
| Great Lakes | 0.50 to 1.50 inches | Light green |
Why This Rain Is Especially Dangerous
This forecast is not arriving on dry ground. The critical factor making these totals so threatening is that this rainfall will stack on top of rain already falling from a separate and distinct trough system moving through the region simultaneously.
Why the flooding risk is elevated:
- Two separate weather systems delivering rain to the same region simultaneously
- Soils already saturated from prior days of heavy rainfall across the South
- No absorption capacity remaining in many areas across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama
- Any additional rain runs off immediately into drainage systems, creeks, and rivers
- Purple zone totals of 10 to 15 inches arriving on already flooded ground is an extreme flooding scenario
- Flood Watches and Advisories already issued before the bulk of the rain has even arrived
Flood Watches and Advisories Already in Effect
The National Weather Service has issued Flood Watches and Advisories across several areas of the South ahead of the main rainfall event. These products reflect forecaster confidence that flooding is not just possible but likely given the saturated ground conditions and incoming rainfall totals.
Current watch and advisory status:
| Product | Areas Covered |
|---|---|
| Flood Watch | Portions of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama |
| Flood Advisory | Scattered areas across the South |
| Flash Flood potential | Widespread across purple and blue zones |
Residents in watch and advisory zones should treat these products as serious and take action to prepare before conditions worsen.
The Dry Zone Stands in Sharp Contrast
While the southern tier drowns, a stark dry zone sits across the Central and Northern Plains.
Areas expecting little to no rainfall:
- Nebraska, Kansas, and the Central Plains remain almost entirely dry
- North Dakota and South Dakota see minimal rainfall
- Montana and Wyoming largely dry through the period
- This contrast underscores the highly uneven precipitation distribution currently affecting the country
What Residents Across the Affected South Should Do Right Now
With Flood Watches already in effect and the heaviest rain still to come over the next 72 hours, action steps are critical for residents across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and the Carolinas.
- Never drive through flooded roadways under any circumstances
- Move valuables and vehicles to higher ground before water begins rising
- Know your evacuation route if you live in a flood-prone area
- Monitor NWS alerts continuously as watches may be upgraded to warnings as rain intensifies
- Avoid all creek, river, and drainage areas as water levels will rise rapidly and without warning
- Have emergency supplies ready including flashlights, medications, and important documents
- Check on elderly neighbors and family in low-lying areas who may need assistance
Stay with CabarrusWeekly.com for continuing updates on the flooding threat and rainfall totals across the South through Thursday May 28.
