Gulf states brace for heavy rains, possible tropical storm

The National Hurricane Center reported Wednesday morning that there’s a 40% chance of a tropical cyclone forming over the Gulf Coast stretching from Florida to Louisiana. Observations specifically show a broad area of low pressure moving west across the Florida Panhandle from Tallahassee to Panama City, the NHC added. The National Weather Service’s Tallahassee Office released a special marine warning late Wednesday morning of severe thunderstorms moving west across the Florida Panhandle. The storms may bring winds of nearly 40 mph or greater and may cause fast-forming waterspouts that may capsize boats, according to the alert.

The low-pressure system could continue west or redevelop later in the evening to reach the Gulf portions of Louisiana by Thursday, the report added. The National Weather Service’s New Orleans office identified lightning as a significant threat to the area through Saturday, with excessive rainfall as an elevated to significant threat through Friday.

What will happen if the storm doesn't form? Even without the cyclone formation, areas of Florida should still expect heavy rainfall with localized flash flooding throughout Wednesday. Portions of the north-central Gulf Coast should also expect heavy rainfall that could trigger flooding beginning late Wednesday and continuing through Friday, the NHC added. A tropical depression could still form in the coming days before the storm moves fully inland by the end of the week, NHC projected. The storm could develop into the fourth named tropical storm of the season.

Dig deeper: Read Lauren Canterberry’s report on fatal flash floods hitting south central Texas earlier this month.