Heavy rains prompt flash flood threats across the Midwest as Tropical Storm Karen becomes the 11th named storm to develop in the Atlantic.

Residents in northern North Dakota and Minnesota received more than 5 inches of rain in some areas on Saturday.

National Weather Service meteorologist Vince Godon said that Grand Forks and surrounding areas ‘really got slammed’ including golf-ball sized hail along the Canadian border from Pembina, North Dakota, to Roseau, Minnesota.

The weather service says Goodrich, in north-central North Dakota, received 7.8 inches of rain in 24 hours.

Grand Forks had 5.29 inches of rain and Roseau had nearly 6 inches of precipitation.

Heavy rains prompt flash flood threats across the Midwest, including in North Dakota, where officials shared video of flooded streets (left and right)

Several vehicles throughout the area were stranded in high water. At one point, the North Dakota Highway Patrol closed Interstate 29 in the Grand Forks area. No injuries were reported.

A flash flood watch is in effect until 10pm CDT Sunday evening for portions of north central Illinois and northeast Illinois as well as parts of Wisconsin and Kansas.

In Texas, a flash flood watch was also issued for parts of the Lone Star State, which is still recovering from Tropical Storm Imelda.

Last week, Houston officials said at least five deaths were linked to the remnants of Imelda which deluged parts of Texas and Louisiana and drew comparisons to Hurricane Harvey two years ago.

Forecasters said rain will be heavy at time and end by early to mid-evening.

Before that time, the rain may be heavy enough to result in localized flash flooding.

A flash flood watch is in effect until 10pm CDT Sunday evening for portions of north central Illinois and northeast Illinois. Parts of Wisconsin and Kansas are under flash flood watches as well

A flash flood watch was issued for parts of Texas (Houston pictured), which is still recovering from Tropical Storm Imelda. Last week, Houston officials said at least five deaths were linked to the remnants of Imelda which deluged parts of Texas and Louisiana

Torrential rain also caused flash flooding early Saturday across parts of Minnesota.

Officials said the storm system dropped at least 9.5 inches of rain in northern Minnesota.

There were also two tornadoes reported in eastern Kansas on Saturday night as well as a 75mph wind gust in Russell, Kansas.

On Sunday morning, forecasters reported rainfall total of four inches in parts of Nebraska.

Beginning Monday night and into Tuesday morning, the cold front is expected to send storms towards the northeast.

Gusty winds and heavy downpours are expected to occur in the major metro areas Monday night and Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Tropical Storm Karen formed early Sunday near the Windward Islands.

The US National Hurricane Center in Miami says Karen has top sustained winds of 40mph and is moving to the west-northwest at 13mph.

Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Tropical Storm Karen formed early Sunday near the Windward Islands

A tropical storm warning was in effect for Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines, suggesting tropical storm conditions are likely in the next 12 hours

At 2pm Sunday afternoon, its center was located about 60 miles north of Grenada

At 2pm Sunday afternoon, its center was located about 60 miles north of Grenada.

A tropical storm warning was in effect for Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines, suggesting tropical storm conditions are likely in the next 12 hours.

Forecasters said a tropical storm watch also was issued for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, meaning tropical storm conditions are possible in the next 48 hours.

The hurricane center says it expects the storm to change little in strength over the coming 48 hours.

The storm was expected to approach Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands on Tuesday.