US(Washington Insider Magazine)-Intense rainfall will slam parts of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona beginning early next week. Meteorologists from the Weather Prediction Center are tracking hurricane-force winds and extended downpours in parts of the Southwest. Experts predict that Southwestern flooding could become dangerous for many commuters and residents in the upcoming week.
Low-pressure systems tend to bring tropical air to western Texas and parts of Arizona and New Mexico, resulting in torrential downpours in addition to rainfall the area has seen so far this summer.
The region is especially prone to flash flooding, and experts predict rain totals of up to 7 inches in some parts of Texas. The Weather Prediction Center issued a level 3 warning, indicating a moderate risk for Southwestern flooding and potentially dangerous conditions for local commuters.
Zion National Park is already experiencing some of the effects of excessive rain. Reports of a hiker injured from flash flooding caused park rangers to begin a rescue mission where they were able to locate the hiker and bring them to a hospital for treatment. It’s unclear what the injured hiker’s status is at this time.
However, the ongoing search for 29-year-old Jetal Agnihotri is yielding minimal results. Family members continue to pray after Agnihotri went missing during a flash flood at Zion.
A tropical storm warning was issued for parts of South Texas and Eastern Mexico due to recorded winds of up to 35 miles per hour, but experts believe the chances of the storm developing into a hurricane are decreasing as it starts to weaken and make its way inland.
What to expect with Southwestern flooding in 2022
The biggest threat to the Southern states is the potential for catastrophic flash flooding. Rain totals are projected to reach over 5 inches in many parts of the region over the next few days. The dry soil in much of the area and the amount of rainfall in a short time could have disastrous consequences for regional residents.
To stay safe, we highly recommend taking precautions by only going out for essential items like food and water, as many people plan on waiting out the torrential rainstorm and subsequent weather pattern shifts.
