Meteorologists are warning millions of people in the central United States to prepare for severe storms, including possible tornadoes, hurricane-force winds, and large hail. The high-risk warning issued for central Oklahoma and southern Kansas is a rare occurrence, with areas in Oklahoma still recovering from a recent tornado that killed four people and caused power outages. Over 3.4 million people, along with schools and hospitals in Oklahoma, southern Kansas, and northern Texas, are facing the most significant threat for tornadoes. Nearly 10 million people live in areas that could be affected by the severe weather.
In response to the warnings, schools and colleges in Oklahoma, including the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma City Public Schools, closed early and canceled afternoon and evening classes and activities. Oklahoma’s State Emergency Operations Center remains activated following the deadly storms over the weekend, with state agencies allowing most workers to leave early on Monday. Farmers and ranchers like Monte Tucker in western Oklahoma are taking precautions to protect their equipment and livestock from potential hail and severe weather, with Tucker having a reinforced concrete safe room in his home for shelter.
A high risk warning from the Storm Prediction Center is a significant event, acknowledging the potential for severe weather that should be taken very seriously. Cities like Kansas City, Missouri, and Lincoln, Nebraska, are among those that could see stormy weather as the day progresses, with the number and intensity of storms expected to increase in the evening. The storms could produce winds exceeding 80 mph and destructive tornadoes, with the potential for long-lasting and intense tornadoes. The unique confluence of weather conditions, including strong winds and moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, is fueling the severe weather risk on the Plains.
The dangerous weather in the Plains is expected to move eastward, posing a risk to places like Kansas City and Springfield, Missouri, through early Tuesday. The entire week is forecasted to be stormy across the U.S., with the eastern U.S. and the South expected to experience severe weather, including cities like Indianapolis, Memphis, Nashville, St. Louis, and Cincinnati. Meanwhile, heavy rain has caused flooding in southwestern Texas, specifically in the Houston area, leading to numerous high-water rescues. Meteorologists urge people in the affected areas to develop severe weather plans, including communication with family members, knowing where shelters are located, and staying updated on weather warnings.
Overall, the central United States is bracing for potentially catastrophic storms, with a rare high-risk warning issued for areas in Oklahoma and Kansas. The combination of tornadoes, hurricane-force winds, and large hail poses a significant threat to millions of people, schools, and hospitals in the region. Farmers and ranchers are taking precautions to protect their equipment and livestock, while meteorologists emphasize the seriousness of the high-risk warning and the potential for intense and long-lasting tornadoes. The severe weather is expected to move eastward, affecting cities in Missouri and beyond, while the rest of the week is forecasted to remain stormy across the country. Residents in affected areas are urged to prepare for severe weather and stay safe during the potential storms.
