A tornado outbreak is set to strike today, bringing severe weather that could affect millions of people across multiple regions of the United States.
The threat of long-track EF3 or stronger tornadoes looms over states like Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee. In addition to powerful tornadoes, residents in some areas can also expect dangerous wind gusts, large hailstones and life-threatening flooding.
Stay up to date on the latest forecast here.
So far this week, at least 44 tornadoes have already been confirmed and experts warn that the worst may be yet to come. The National Weather Service office in Little Rock has highlighted that the conditions are in place for a potentially historic storm event. People in the affected areas should remain vigilant and prepared, as these storms could lead to widespread destruction.
Here are the latest updates:
(09:53 a.m. EDT) Confirmed Tornado Near Boonville, Missouri
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for Howard County and Cooper County in central Missouri after a tornado was spotted on radar.
Residents in the area should take immediate action to protect themselves as the storm moves through the area.
(09:50 a.m. EDT) High Risk Of Flooding
Life-threatening flooding is expected as this system moves through parts of the South and Midwest. Cities like Memphis, Little Rock and Louisville are at risk for the worst of the impacts. Heavy rainfall totals are expected to flood roads and create very dangerous conditions.
This “high risk” flood forecast is meaningful. Meteorologists warn this could be a destructive flood event. Past high-risk days have been linked to nearly half of all recorded flood fatalities and injuries in the U.S.
Learn more about why it’s important to pay attention to the flood risk, here.
(09:40 a.m. EDT) What We Are Tracking Now And What’s Ahead
From weather.com senior meteorologist Chris Dolce:
A squall line of strong to severe storms is ongoing this morning from Missouri to eastern Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas. Damaging wind gusts are the main threat, but isolated tornadoes can spin up at times. That’s what happened north of Tulsa this morning, with a radar-confirmed tornado causing roof and tree damage near Owasso.
(09:30 a.m. EDT) Confirmed Tornado Damages Homes In Owasso, Oklahoma
Social media posts revealed structural damage to several homes in the town of Owasso, Oklahoma, less than 15 miles northeast of downtown Tulsa.
Damage was also reported to a Whirlpool plant in the area, with multiple semi trucks flipped at the site, according to News9.com.
(09:23 a.m. EDT) When Is A Tornado Most Likely To Hit?
April is on average the second busiest month for tornadoes in the U.S. May comes in at No. 1. June is third and March is fourth. And while tornadoes can happen anytime of the year, they are statistically least likely in the winter months.
(09:11 a.m. EDT) Rare ‘High Risk’ Forecast
A “high risk” severe weather forecast is the most urgent warning NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center can issue, signaling a volatile and potentially devastating storm setup. This level 5 warning is rare, typically only issued two or three times each year, and demands immediate attention from meteorologists and the public. The SPC has already issued two high-risk forecasts this year: The deadly March 14-15 outbreak, and today.
(09:00 a.m. EDT) System Could Bring 10 To 15 Inches Of Rain
From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:
One thing that is a little different with this storm system is that it is expected to bump into a dome of heat that will be building along the U.S. East Coast. This dome will slow down and string out the storm system, eventually stopping it in its tracks over the Ohio Valley. This will allow the system to drop torrential rainfall from Oklahoma to Indiana. Before all is over, 10 to 15 inches of rain is possible near the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.
