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Weather service issues flood watch for Gulf coast states

A small, but moist low pressure system along the Gulf Coast will continue to spread deep moisture into the Southeast, with the heaviest rain expected along the Gulf Coast from Louisiana through the Florida Panhandle.

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New Orleans officials are urging residents to take precautions as severe weather is forecast for the area. The updated watch was extended in area to include lower Terrebonne Parish and Pearl River County. In fact, Flash Flood Watches are posted for much of Arizona and New Mexico in preparation for more rain and thunderstorms. There’s a mid-level low that’s attracting the development of feeder bands on the east side of the surface low, over southeastern Alabama. The heaviest and most organized of the activity should focus near the coast where heavy rainfall and flash flooding will be a threat from eastern Louisiana to the western Florida panhandle. The dry desert soil can not handle much precipitation, thus most of Arizona and western New Mexico were placed under flooding warnings with some areas of strong winds.

An upper level trough of low pressure that will be moving eastward over the middle of the continent from Saturday through Monday likely will mean higher rain chances, though the rainfall amounts may be lower.

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Because the threat is still several days away, the timing and impacts may be adjusted in later forecasts, according to the weather service. Flood advisories will remain in effect for these areas.

Gulf coast could see lots of rain through Saturday night