June 18, 2026 / 9:25 PM EDT
/ CBS/AP
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The remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur battered parts of the southeastern United States with drenching rains and strong wind on Thursday, tearing through buildings, flooding homes and launching water rescues along the Gulf Coast.
Arthur was the first tropical storm of the season in the Atlantic basin, and although it quickly downgraded within a day of forming, the lingering system created dangerous conditions in Louisiana and Mississippi. In one rural Louisiana parish, more than 2 feet of rain fell in 48 hours and most of that soaking came Thursday, said Donald Jones, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles.
Williams and 31st Street in Kenner is flooded during Tropical Storm Arthur in New Orleans, Thursday, June 18, 2026.
David Grunfeld/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP
It flooded at least 200 homes in Avoyelles Parish, about 70 miles northwest of the state capital, Louisiana state Rep. Daryl Deshotel said.
"Even by this region's standards, that's catastrophic rain," Jones said.
Life-threatening floods trapped people in a campground in Perkinston, Mississippi, while rescuers used canoe paddles to break through windows of RVs, and cars and mobile homes were washed away. A rain gauge in a town near Perkinston showed as much as 10 inches of rain fell Thursday morning. Some residents told CBS News that they barely escaped as the water began to rise.
Nicole Jackson and her fiancé, Hayden, told CBS News that they barely managed to escape before head-high floodwaters swept through their home in Stone County, Mississippi.
"It's insane how quickly it rose," Jackson said. "People that lived here a lot longer than us are absolutely shocked."
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said in a social media post Thursday night that a worker on a county road crew in the southwestern part of the state had been killed while helping with storm cleanup operations. The cause of the death was not disclosed.
Thirty homes below the Anchor Lake dam in southern Mississippi were being evacuated as a precaution due to concerns that rising waters could overwhelm the spillways and compromise the structure, Reeves said. Residents in the area were being encouraged to seek higher ground.
The West Esplanade Ave. canal in Kenner slowly recedes after overtopping during Tropical Storm Arthur in New Orleans, Thursday, June 18, 2026.
David Grunfeld/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP
Coni Dubois said several inches of water flooded her home overnight in Houma, southwest of New Orleans, but others in the community had worse damage. She's lived through many hurricanes and other storms, but never witnessed thunder and lightning like this.
"It was unbelievable, it literally sounded like hell broke open," Dubois said. "I thought for sure we had a tornado on top of us. The lightning and the thunder was so consistent, the whole house was lit up like daylight for about 20 minutes."
The National Guard and state wildlife officials were working with rescue crews, officials said.
One tornado had been confirmed in Avoyelles Parish, along with three others near New Orleans, the weather service said.
Amid relentless rainfall in central Louisiana, Cody Coco said he rescued stranded workers — waist deep in water — at a cypress sawmill operation he runs near his home in Avoyelles Parish. He said the water has continued to rise all throughout the day.
Coco, 40, said he also used a boat to rescue the four pigs he kept in a pen. Video he shared on his Facebook page shows the hogs swimming out of their enclosure in a torrent of murky water. Coco says they are now safe on higher ground.
A snapped power pole hangs over a car lot at Joseph Cadillac in Florence, Ky, Thursday, June 18, 2026, after severe weather moved through the region.
Carolyn Kaster / AP
"If I'd left them in the pen, they'd have drowned," Coco said. "They were happy to see me."
New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno posted a video on Facebook describing relatively minor damage and cleanup efforts. Ahead of the storm, police prepared boats and set up barricades in flood-prone areas. They also opened sandbag distribution sites across Louisiana.
Just across the Mississippi River in Avondale, Louisiana, a tornado wrecked four homes, Jefferson Parish spokeswoman Rachel Strassel said. Two people were hospitalized with minor injuries and later released.
In:
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Read the full article at CBS News (US) →📄Source document: National Hurricane Center→9 reports
CBS News (US)IndependentCenter2 days agoSevere flooding has affected millions of people along the Gulf Coast, with rising waters causing damage to communities and prompting rescue operations.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on natural disaster impact and rescue efforts without taking a stance on policy, politics, or ideological issues. It does not include framing that suggests bias toward any political perspective.
CBS News (US)IndependentCenter2 days ago Remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur flood homes and force evacuations in Gulf statesThe remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur caused severe flooding and forced evacuations across parts of the Gulf Coast, including Louisiana and Mississippi. The storm brought heavy rainfall, damaging infrastructure and leading to water rescues. Officials reported over 2 feet of rain in some areas, with significant impacts on communities such as Avoyelles Parish and Perkinston.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a factual account of the impact of Tropical Storm Arthur without taking a stance or using biased language. It reports on the effects of the storm, including flooding and evacuations, citing officials and meteorologists. There is no indication of ideological framing or emphasis.
Official sources cited
- government National Weather Service in Lake Charles
- government Louisiana state Rep. Daryl Deshotel
CBS News (US)IndependentCenter2 days ago First named storm of 2026 Atlantic hurricane season forms, drenching parts of Texas, LouisianaTropical Storm Arthur formed on Wednesday off the Gulf Coast of Texas and caused heavy rainfall and flooding in parts of Texas and Louisiana.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a natural event without political commentary, framing, or bias. It focuses on the formation of Tropical Storm Arthur and its impact on Texas and Louisiana, using neutral language and providing no indication of ideological slant.
CBS News (US)IndependentCenter3 days ago Tropical Storm Arthur rolls through the GulfSevere weather threatened over 125 million Americans as Tropical Storm Arthur moved through the Gulf Coast, prompting multiple states to issue flood alerts.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a natural disaster event without taking a stance or showing bias in language, sourcing, or emphasis. It focuses on the factual aspects of the storm and its impact.
The Washington TimesIndependentCenter3 days agoTropical Storm Arthur formed over the Gulf Coast, marking the start of the Atlantic hurricane season. The storm posed a significant threat of flash flooding, particularly in Texas and Louisiana. Despite its relatively weak intensity, with maximum sustained winds of around 45 mph, officials warned of dangerous flooding due to prolonged heavy rainfall. Flash flood warnings were issued for the Houston area, where a World Cup match proceeded without disruption. Earlier heavy rains led to a reported drowning incident involving a teenager.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information about the formation and impact of Tropical Storm Arthur, focusing on meteorological details and safety concerns. There is no evident ideological framing, biased language, or selective emphasis on particular viewpoints. The content remains neutral and focused.
Official sources cited
- government National Hurricane Center director Michael Brennan
CBS News (US)IndependentCenter4 days ago Tropical Storm Arthur forms off Texas Gulf CoastTropical Storm Arthur has formed off the Gulf Coast of Texas, marking the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. The storm developed approximately 40 miles from Port O'Connor and 190 miles from Lake Charles, Louisiana. It is currently moving northeastward with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. The National Hurricane Center forecasts minimal changes in strength as the storm approaches the Texas coast and potentially moves inland. Heavy rain and flooding are expected across parts of the southeastern U.S., including areas from Houston to Atlanta.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a factual account of the formation and movement of Tropical Storm Arthur without any apparent ideological framing. It relies on information from the National Hurricane Center and does not present any biased language or selective emphasis.
CBS News (US)IndependentCenter4 days ago Potential first tropical cyclone of the year developing in the GulfForecasters are monitoring what could be the first tropical cyclone of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. The system, designated as Potential Tropical Cyclone One, is currently a tropical disturbance located in the western Gulf of Mexico. It is moving northeast at 6 mph with winds of 30 mph, below the threshold for a tropical storm. The National Hurricane Center has issued a preliminary advisory, and heavy rainfall and flooding continue to affect parts of the southern United States.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information about a developing weather system without taking a stance or using biased language. It focuses on meteorological data and updates from the National Hurricane Center, presenting the situation objectively.
NBC NewsIndependentCenter5 days agoSevere flooding is affecting multiple regions in the Southern United States, with at least 16 million people under flood watches. Areas including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are experiencing significant impacts, including road closures, submerged vehicles, and cancellations of events like the FIFA Fan Fest in Houston. Officials are actively searching for individuals affected by the floods, and the National Weather Service has issued warnings about potential life-threatening flash flooding.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information about the extent of flooding, impacted areas, and ongoing rescue efforts without taking a stance or using biased language. It reports on events and quotes officials neutrally.
Breitbart NewsIndependentCenter5 days agoHeavy rains have caused dangerous flash floods across Central Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for the region, predicting 4-6 inches of rain over the next few days. Major cities such as San Antonio, Austin, Houston, New Orleans, and others are at risk of flooding.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on natural disaster events and weather forecasts without taking a political stance. It focuses on factual information provided by the National Weather Service and does not include any biased language, framing, or ideological commentary.
Official sources cited
- government National Weather Service
United States