Warm weather triggers storms and flooding

Prolonged periods of heavy rain caused flooding problems from Louisiana to Missouri with more storms expected Wednesday, forecasters said. Fueled by moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, the storms will significantly reduce visibility on roadways, hampering travel, AccuWeather.com reported. Motorists driving along Interstates 10,12,20,49 and 55 in Louisiana and I-30 and I-40 in Arkansas had to deal with poor travel conditions. "By Thursday, up to 8 inches could have filled some rain gauges, with flooding threatening to advance to some larger creeks and small rivers," said AccuWeather.com meteorologist Bill Deger. Over half a foot of rain has already fallen in parts of Louisiana. Total rainfall reached 8.46 inches in Polk, La., early Wednesday morning. Thunderstorms in Charlotte, N.C., are being blamed for triggering a pair of house fires late Tuesday, the Charlotte (N.C.) Observer said. No injuries were reported but heavy rain hampered firefighters trying to bring the blazes under control.