SOUTHERN U.S.
— A tropical disturbance churning in the Gulf of Mexico has triggered
flood watches
across multiple Gulf Coast states, with forecasters warning of
potentially life-threatening rainfall totals
in the days ahead.
The system, currently being tracked by the
National Hurricane Center (NHC)
, has a 40% chance of becoming a tropical depression. If it intensifies into a named storm, it would be called
Dexter
.
Flood Watch in Effect for Louisiana, Mississippi, and More
The
National Weather Service (NWS)
has issued flood watches from
Wednesday afternoon through Friday night
for
New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Grand Isle, and surrounding areas
. Initial rainfall predictions show
2 to 6 inches likely
, but
up to 15 inches
is possible if the system strengthens or stalls.
According to
meteorologist Michael Lowry
, “2025 has been the year of the flood,” as the country experienced
96 flash flood warnings in a single day
earlier this week — the most ever recorded for July.
A Year Already Marked by Destructive Floods
This tropical disturbance adds to a growing list of major weather events in 2025. Dozens of people died in
Central Texas flooding
just days ago, and
flash floods in New Jersey and New York
shut down airports and train systems.
These incidents are part of a concerning trend that has made 2025 one of the
most flood-prone years on record
, even
outpacing 1986
, according to the NWS. As
Men’s Journal reports
, the consistency and intensity of rainfall this summer have caught forecasters off guard.
What the Next Few Days May Bring
Forecasters are closely watching the Gulf system, warning that the
storm could intensify rapidly
if it remains offshore and feeds on warm water. If it moves inland too early, rainfall may still be substantial but without tropical-storm strength winds.
The
NHC says coastal residents should prepare
for potential
street flooding, power outages, and transportation delays
, depending on how the system behaves between now and Friday.
Prepare Now, Say Emergency Officials
Residents in affected regions are encouraged to:
- Stay updated with local emergency alerts
- Avoid driving through flooded roads
- Review flood insurance and property drainage
- Prepare emergency kits with food, water, and first-aid supplies
Even areas far from the coast — especially in flood-prone lowlands — may see flash flooding depending on rainfall distribution.
Do you think more aggressive flood control is needed in your area? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
