The threat of heavy rain has forecasters in the Florida Panhandle concerned about flash flooding.
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch through Sunday evening for the entire Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region. The watch means rising water could quickly cause flooding of homes, businesses and roads in flood prone areas.
According to a blend of radar and rain gauge observations, anywhere from 3 to 6 inches of rain have fallen over the past three days. The heaviest rain has been concentrated near Interstate 10 in western sections of the watch area.
Meteorologists at the National Weather Service say several more rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected over the weekend. Another 3 to 6 inches of rain is possible, with a few locations receiving over 8 more inches the forecasters said late Friday morning. They're most concerned with flash flooding of urban areas and along small creeks and streams.
Along with heavy rain, NOAA's Storm Prediction Center says damaging winds may accompany a few of the strongest thunderstorms Friday and Saturday. It issued a “marginal risk”, which means only a few spotty reports of damaging winds are expected.
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