More than 25 million Americans are facing the threat of dangerous flash flooding as a deep moisture surge from the remnants of Tropical Storm Bertha targets the Carolina coast and surrounding areas. The FOX Forecast Center is monitoring the situation, which is expected to worsen flood impacts across the Southeast and Carolinas.
A cold front poised to stall across the Tennessee Valley and into the Carolinas is expected to interact with warm, tropical moisture moving northward from Bertha. This convergence will fuel widespread showers and thunderstorms, leading to repeated rounds of heavy rain.
The region's current persistent drought conditions are predicted to increase the flood threat, as dry soil will absorb water less efficiently, intensifying runoff.
A Level 3 out of 4 flash flood risk is in effect through Thursday, stretching from southeastern Virginia, including the Outer Banks of North Carolina, down to coastal South Carolina. This risk is projected to decrease to a Level 2 out of 4 on Friday. Locations such as Wilmington, North Carolina, and Norfolk, Virginia, could receive rainfall totals of 3 to 5 inches through the weekend.
While the front may bring some improvement to inland areas, the flood threat is expected to remain active along the North Carolina coast, extending south through coastal South Carolina.