Deadly flooding slams Southeast as region faces dayslong tropical downpour threat

Flood Watches are in effect across the Southeast as a lingering cold front triggers tropical downpours and thunderstorms this week. FOX Weather Meteorologists Michael Estime and Craig Herrera break down the latest forecast on Aug. 4, 2025.

Millions of people across the Southeast are being told to prepare for possible flooding as the region faces a dayslong tropical downpour threat thanks to a stalled-out cold front that led to the development of Tropical Storm Dexter off the U.S. East Coast.

This comes as Alabama faced deadly flooding on Sunday.

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This image shared by the Turkey Heaven Volunteer Fire Department shows flooding that took place in Cleburne County on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2025.

(Turkey Heaven Volunteer Fire Department/Facebook / FOX Weather)

According to the Cleburne County Sheriff’s Officeone person was killed and others needed to be rescued after floodwaters rushed over roads and washed away vehicles.

The Turkey Heaven Volunteer Fire Department said emergency crews were dispatched twice in the span of about two hours to help those who attempted to cross water-covered roads.

A video shared by FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray shows some heavy rain falling in the Atlanta metro area over the weekend as the Southeast braces for more flooding rain this week.

The fire department said the first rescue operation took place around 4:44 a.m. local time after a vehicle was overtaken by floodwaters on County Road 10 near County Road 635.

One person was in that vehicle, and they were successfully rescued.

The second incident took place around 6:20 a.m. local time after a vehicle attempted to navigate a flooded roadway in the 3000 block of County Road 41.

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Officials said there were two people inside that vehicle at the time. One was rescued without major injuries, but the second person wasn’t located until a short time later.

That person was pronounced dead at the scene by Cleburne County Coroner Adam Downs.

A video shared from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, shows heavy rain falling on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, as tropical downpours soaked the region.

“These incidents serve as a sobering reminder of just how powerful floodwaters can be,” Fire Chief Patrick Nolen said in a statement. “The safety of our community is our top priority, and while we’re grateful that we were able to safely rescue the individuals involved, we urge everyone to take Flood Warnings seriously.”

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Flood threat grows in Southeast due to tropical downpours unrelated to Tropical Storm Dexter

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The same stalled cold front that helped lead to the development of Tropical Storm Dexter off the mid-Atlantic coast is also bringing a separate flood threat to the Southeast through this week, possibly into the weekend.

Much of Florida, Alabama, and Georgia are facing several days of heavy rain and flash flooding. The main driver is a stalled front draped across the region, with no clear path to move out. This front is acting as the trigger for rounds of tropical downpours

The FOX Forecast Center said that while Tropical Storm Dexter remains offshore and won’t pose a direct threat to the U.S., much of Florida, Alabama and Georgia are facing several days of heavy rain and flash flooding.

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The main driver for the threat is due to the stalled-out front draped across the region with no clear path to move out of the area. The FOX Forecast Center said that the front will act as a trigger for rounds of tropical downpours, and wherever the front lingers will likely determine where the worst flooding will occur.

The tropical Atlantic basin has come alive with the development of Tropical Storm Dexter off the U.S. East Coast and a new area to watch off Southeast coast, but that isn’t stopping people from enjoying their summer vacations on the beach. FOX Weather Meteorologist Bayne Frone was in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, with the latest on Aug. 4, 2025.

A broad area of low-level spin has developed higher in the atmosphere and is expected to linger around the front. That spin is helping to funnel deep tropical moisture northward into the Southeast, creating a moisture-rich environment.

And because of that spin, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) highlighted an area off the Southeast coast for possible tropical development this week.

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The chances of development at this point are low, but that could change if conditions become more favorable.

Regardless of tropical development, major cities in the Southeast like Atlanta and Tallahassee, Florida, will need to be on alert for urban flooding.

The flash flood hotspot is shaping up in central Georgia, including areas near Macon and Albany, where rainfall totals could exceed 5-8 inches by Thursday.