Follow for live updates in the Texas flooding as more than 173 are missing as rescuers continue a desperate search

With the recent deadly flash floods​ in Texas and New Mexico, it's important to remember that monsoon season has begun for the southwestern part of our country and flooding is one of the hazards that comes along with it.

Back-to-back flooding disasters in recent years — in Texas, New Mexico and Kentucky, among many others — have showed that preparing for flash flooding is a new necessity as the planet warms.

A flash flood is a rapid rise of water along a stream or in a low-lying urban area, the National Weather Service said. Flash flooding can result from slow-moving thunderstorms, from numerous thunderstorms that develop repeatedly over the same area, or from heavy rains associated with tropical cyclones.

A flash flood warning has been issued for Dallas and Kaufman counties until 9:45 p.m.A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Tarrant County through 9 p.m. We've dealt with a couple of strong afternoon/evening thunderstorms across North Texas the last couple of days,

On Wednesday at 8:50 p.m. the NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC released a flash flood warning in effect until 11:45 p.m. for Lincoln County.

Major I-95 cities -- Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia -- could be impacted as heavy downpours could bring 2-3 inches of rainfall per hour over already saturated soils, which could easily cause flash flooding.

Forecasters say some thunderstorm cells have the potential to dump as much as 2 to 3 inches of rain in one hour, posing a risk of rapid flooding.