Arthur Remnants Dump 12 Inches on Louisiana, Knocking Out Power to 38,000
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Jun 18
Arthur Remnants Dump 12 Inches on Louisiana, Knocking Out Power to 38,000
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Jun 18
Summary
As much as 12 inches of rain fell in parts of southern Louisiana in 24 hours, with Arthur’s remnants spreading heavy rain and severe storms into Mississippi and Alabama on Thursday.
More than 150 flooding reports have been logged from Texas to Alabama this week, and NOAA issued a rare high-risk warning for life-threatening flash flooding across southern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.
Jefferson Parish reported a tornado that damaged motor homes and derailed a 12-car train, while radar also detected tornadoes in central Louisiana, southern Mississippi and southern Alabama.
Nearly 38,000 customers in Louisiana and Mississippi were without power Thursday morning as over two dozen Louisiana waterways reached flood stage and roads disappeared under bayou and canal overflow.
The system is forecast to sweep through Georgia, the Florida Panhandle and the Carolinas through Friday, bringing 5 to 10 inches of rain, isolated 20-inch totals and more downpours that could slow recovery into the weekend.
As hurricanes slow and dump more rain, are southern cities' flood defenses now obsolete?
If El Niño should mean fewer hurricanes, why is the season's first storm already this deadly?
Aftermath of Tropical Storm Arthur (2026): Life-Threatening Floods, Community Response, and Future Preparedness in the Gulf South
Overview
Tropical Storm Arthur, the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic season, quickly weakened into a low-pressure area and was downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone, leading to the end of all storm watches and warnings. However, its remnants still pose a serious threat, fueling a prolonged period of heavy rain and dangerous, life-threatening flash flooding across the Gulf Coast and southeastern United States. While Arthur is expected to dissipate soon, forecasters are monitoring the possibility of new low-pressure development from its leftover energy, highlighting the ongoing risks and the need for continued vigilance in affected regions.