Storm to drop up to 5 inches of rain on flood-weary state

Flood watches have been issued by the weather service for late Monday into Tuesday in the central and western parts of the state, which are expected to be hit first. The storm could linger until Wednesday in some areas, forecasters said.

While the agency normally doesn’t issue flood watches so far in advance, “confidence is pretty high” of a big storm, said Walter Drag, a weather service meteorologist.

Forecasters are predicting 2.5 to 5 inches of rain, with higher amounts in some areas. They said the potential existed for substantial river flooding.

Drag said people in cities and towns that experienced flooding in the last two rainstorms in the region -- including the mammoth deluge two weekends ago -- should take precautions.

"It could be pretty serious," he said.