Tornadoes struck rural Oklahoma and large hail hit parts of Kansas during an outbreak of dangerous storms, prompting a rare high-risk weather warning for the two states. The National Weather Service issued the warning, advising residents not to wait until they see a tornado before seeking shelter. Oklahoma was under a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) watch, the second in nine days, with the potential for strong twisters to stay on the ground for many miles. Multiple tornadoes were spotted in north central Oklahoma, with one heading toward towns like Bartlesville, Dewey, and Barnsdall.
The Weather Service also warned of a large and life-threatening tornado in the area, with wind gusts reaching up to 70 mph. Other tornadoes were reported near the town of Okeene and in Covington, posing a risk to areas like Sulphur and Holdenville, which were still recovering from a previous tornado. Wind farm turbines were seen spinning rapidly in the wind and rain, with reports of apple-sized hail near Ellinwood, Kansas. Schools and colleges in Oklahoma and Kansas closed early, and residents were advised to take precautions, including sheltering in safe rooms in the event of dangerous weather.
The high-risk weather outlook was described as a particularly intense and long-lasting threat, with the potential for significant tornado outbreaks across western Oklahoma and south-central Kansas. The risk was attributed to a combination of factors, including strong winds from a low-pressure system in Colorado and moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. The severe weather was expected to move east, posing a risk in areas like Kansas City and Springfield in Missouri, with continued stormy weather forecasted for the eastern U.S. and the South over the week.
West Texas and parts of the Midwest were also experiencing stormy weather, with floodwaters receding in Houston following heavy rains and high-water rescues. The storm system responsible for the severe weather was described as capable of producing long-lasting tornadoes, with the potential for paths of destruction. The risk of severe weather in the Plains and Midwest was the highest in five years, according to meteorologists, prompting residents to take the threat seriously and seek shelter. The stormy conditions were expected to continue across the U.S., with the eastern U.S. and the South likely to be impacted throughout the week.
