Catastrophic Storms and Flooding Continue: Severe Weather Threat Persists Across the Mississippi Valley
APR 3, 2025
Stat 1: High Risks for severe storms occur 1-3 times a year on average. 2025 has already had two: March 15 and April 2.
Stat 2: Both NWS Memphis and NWS Paducah have issued 92 tornado warnings this year. That’s +70 above average for both offices. This is indicative that the forecast for an east-based severe season is coming to fruition for the Mississippi River Valley.
Weather Headlines
We continue to watch a catastrophic severe weather (tornadoes and flooding) event unfold as a stalled frontal boundary between two very different air masses continues to spark massive thunderstorms and flooding.
Unfortunately, there’s not a whole lot of progression expected on both Friday and Saturday — keeping flooding and very strong thunderstorms in place across the Mid and Southern Mississippi Valley. This is a multi-day long-duration impact event, with river flooding likely to last into next week. We’ll break down the severe storm risk and flooding risk below. The severe thunderstorm and flash flooding threat will finally progress away from that region and push into the southeast Saturday and Sunday.
Elsewhere, a late season winter storm will push south across the Rockies on Friday and Saturday — bringing some winter impacts through mountain passes and higher elevation towns and cities across Rocky mountain states.
Next week looks like a very welcomed break form extreme weather, at least through the first half of the week with exception to a minor storm pushing into the Pacific Northwest with very minimal impacts.
Breaking down severe thunderstorms and flash flooding for Friday & Saturday
F
Friday Severe Thunderstorms
Storms will continue to fire up along an elongated front throughout the whole day with storms in the morning and afternoon around the Ozarks and Mississippi Valley, even into East Texas.
The combination of surface heating, copious moisture, and the frontal boundary make large hail, tornadoes, and damaging winds all likely. It will be another day of dangerous weather.
Breaking down severe thunderstorms and flash flooding for Friday & Saturday
Friday Flooding Risk
Flooding will continue to be elevated with the stalled frontal boundary spawning widespread clusters of heavy rain over the same regions already impacted. Expect an upgrade to a higher risk area with the ground becoming very saturated on Thursday and previous days. Already 2-6", even higher amounts, will have fallen by Friday with another 3-6" likely during the day Friday. This will lead to extensive flooding.
Breaking down severe thunderstorms and flash flooding for Friday & Saturday
Saturday Severe Thunderstorm Risk
The front moves slowly to the south and still includes Arkansas and the the Lower Mississippi Valley in the risk area. Storms can push well north into the Ohio Valley as well.
Storms will be active all day, but reorganizing and surging in the afternoon and evening. Although the atmosphere might be a sliver more stable, very strong tornadoes, giant hail, and damaging wind gusts are all once again possible across the risk areas.
Breaking down severe thunderstorms and flash flooding for Friday & Saturday
Saturday Flooding Risk
The rinse and repeat nature of this setup will bring a catastrophic level of flooding risk to the Mid-Mississippi Valley and elevated flooding risks from East Texas through the Ohio Valley. This threat ramps up Saturday afternoon and into the overnight with heavy rainfall inundating the region. Another round of 2-6" of rain possible with local totals north of 8" — devastating.
Finally the system moves on Sunday
Sunday Severe Risk
At last the storm system begins to progress away from the region Sunday. Moving out of the decimated state of Arkansas, the front progresses into the Southeast and brings an extensive area of severe thunderstorms, but weakened a bit. The tornado and hail risk drops, but still possible. Damaging winds are the highest concern Sunday afternoon and evening.
Sunday Flooding Risk
A little less forcing will keep rainfall intensity and amounts lower across the southeast, but still the chance for some isolated to scattered flooding incidents can be possible. Especially since the region has seen some decent rain lately and soils are a little sensitive. 1-3 inches of rain can fall on Sunday. Runoff can occur across the mountainous terrain across the Appalachians which would be worth monitoring.
Monday Flooding Risk
The front responsible for historic flooding runs out of energy and real estate on Monday, but not without bringing some flooding risk to the Carolinas and through the Florida Panhandle on Monday.
A general swath of 1 to 2 inches are expected with locally higher amounts —leading to a marginal risk for flooding across the region.
Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Charleston, SC, Wilmington, NC are in the risk area.
Late season snow along the Rockies Friday & Saturday
Elsewhere, on the cold side of the system, a decent winter storm will progress through the central and southern Rockies through Friday and Saturday.
A general swath of 4-8" are possible through parts of Wyoming, Colorado, and into New Mexico and the High Plains.
Higher elevations may see 1 to 2 feet to capstone the winter season. Denver and Albuquerque are within the snow’s path.
LATEST UPDATES:
Before a Storm:
Create A Hurricane Procedure Playbook
How Property Managers Can Prepare for Hurricane Season
After a Storm:
Tips on Reopening Your Business After a Natural Disaster
Evacuating in the Face of a Hurricane
SERVICES & WHY CHOOSE US:
A disaster can leave you reeling if you’re not prepared. Our restoration team is not only here to help you clean up, but we also offer pre-loss planning to help you prepare for a variety of potential disasters so that you can minimize business interruption and get back up and running as quickly as possible.
OUR SERVICES INCLUDE
-
Pre-Loss Planning
-
Water & Storm Restoration
-
Fire & Smoke Restoration
-
Reconstruction
-
Mold Remediation
-
Electronics & Equipment Restoration Content & Document Restoration
-
Ancillary Services
WHY CHOOSE SERVICEMASTER? WE ARE AN INDUSTRY LEADER IN RECOVERY MANAGEMENT.
-
True Full-Service Partner
-
Branded/Uniformed First Response
-
Unparalleled Resources & Reach-Back Capabilities
-
Advanced Weather Notification App
-
Equipment & Resource Staging
-
Post-Storm Damage Assessment
-
Large Loss Job Reporting
-
Centralized Management
YOUR FIRST CALL
BEFORE, DURING AND
AFTER DISASTER
ServiceMaster is an industry leader when it comes to emergency restoration services. Our team of highly trained professionals provide 24/7 response for any residential, or commercial property disaster, from fires and floods to extreme weather events and beyond.
With our years of experience in the field combined with cutting-edge technology, we can restore your business or home quickly and efficiently so you can get back on track as soon as possible.
WHAT TO DO/TIPS:
TIP 1
Safety First: Prioritize personal safety and that of your family. Avoid flooded areas and downed power lines.
TIP 2
Document Damage: Take photos or videos of any damage to your property for insurance claims.
TIP 3
Secure Property: Cover broken windows, tarp roofs, and board up openings to prevent further damage.
TIP 4
Contact Insurance: Notify your insurance company as soon as possible to start the claims process.
TIP 5
Mitigate Mold: Dry out the affected areas within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
TIP 6
Dispose of Debris: Remove debris safely to prevent accidents and further damage.
The SMR and Monarch Weather & Climate Intelligence partnership empowers us to leverage cutting-edge weather intelligence to enhance our disaster response efforts.