Heavy rain spreading across parts of the central United States from Wednesday to Friday will create hazardous travel conditions, but it could also bring some benefits to areas experiencing drought. Severe thunderstorms are also expected in parts of the region, AccuWeather meteorologists warn.

A storm that tracked across California Monday will swing eastward into the Plains by midweek, producing a corridor of heavy rain and thunderstorms.

Problems from the rain

Downpours will stretch from central Texas to Missouri, southern Illinois and western Kentucky and may lead to urban and stream flooding.

Rain could fall at rates of up to an inch per hour, which can overwhelm storm drains and cause small streams to rise quickly, even in areas experiencing drought or abnormally dry conditions. Fal

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