Floods Possible For GA As Threatening SE Storms Loom: Latest Forecast

Heavy storms are expected to hammer Georgia and the Southeast with up to 8 inches of rain this week, perhaps offering some drought relief in the region while also bringing strong winds and lightning.

The soaking rain could arrive as soon as Tuesday afternoon in Georgia, according to the National Weather Service's Peachtree City office.

AccuWeather forecasters predicted 4-8 rainfall inches in parts of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and the Florida panhandle this week.

Regions from the Carolinas and Virginia to Texas will receive overwhelming rainfall, according to AccuWeather. The private weather agency warned of flash flood risks.

The National Weather Service placed metro Atlanta and some surrounding counties under a flood watch until 11 p.m. Tuesday. This comes after nearly 4 inches of rain flooded I-75 north last Wednesday in downtown Atlanta.

The flood watch was issued for Clarke, Oconee, Paulding, Cobb, Fulton, Fayette, DeKalb, Rockdale, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Clayton, Henry, Hall, Cherokee, Douglas and multiple other counties.

The NWS reported showers and thunderstorms could fall at a rate of 2-3 inches per hour and bring gusty to damaging winds, along with frequent lightning.

"An anomalously moist environment over the area will support high rain rates (2-3"+/hour), which will lead to increased chances for localized flash flooding," the NWS reported.

Some local storms could become severe, and the pattern could continue through Wednesday night, AccuWeather reported.

AccuWeather forecasters credit the moist forecast to a drifting front anticipated to stall across the South.

Across the region, southern states will be blasted with widespread storms through at least Saturday, according to an AccuWeather graphic.

A NWS detailed forecast showed rain could last in metro Atlanta through at least Monday.

States further west of Georgia are set to experience less rainfall than the East Coast. Some areas could reach rainfall totals beyond 8 inches.

Drainage systems could be swamped and lead to flash flooding, particularly in urban towns, AccuWeather reported.

Atlanta is one of multiple metro cities that could face travel delays and flash flooding. Others are New Orleans; Gulfport, Mississippi; and Mobile and Birmingham, Alabama.

The heavy rain could curtail drought conditions in some states, including in Florida where 75 percent of the Sunshine State is battling extreme drought, AccuWeather reported.

"Rain will fall across parts of the south-central and southeastern United States this week," AccuWeather Expert Meteorologist Adam Douty said in a report released Tuesday. "However, any tropical system that organizes in that zone could strengthen modestly, increase winds and surf and produce locally heavy rain across parts of the Florida Peninsula near the end of the month."

Some storms could attract moisture from the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf and become torrential.

Weather officials advised drivers do not attempt to travel on flooded roadways and instead turn around to find an alternate route.

"Driving through floodwaters not only puts you and your occupants at risk, but also your would-be rescuers," AccuWeather stated.

Here is the National Weather Service's Tuesday afternoon forecast for metro Atlanta:

This Afternoon: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 p.m., then showers and thunderstorms likely between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 p.m. High near 80. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10 p.m. Low around 67. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 11 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 11pm and midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Thursday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Friday: A chance of showers before 11 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. High near 80. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Friday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Saturday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 77. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 a.m., then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Sunday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Sunday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 77.