Tornado Sucks Up Trees,Tosses Them Like Twigs
Dangerous storms erupted across the central U.S. Monday,bringing several tornadoes,damaging hail and the potential for flash flooding to a region already battered by days of deadly severe weather. Residents across parts of Nebraska,Iowa,Kansas,Missouri,Oklahoma,Arkansas and Texas endured yet another round of destructive conditions as the storms swept through.
In addition to potentially strong and long-tracked tornadoes,the powerful systems produced wind gusts over 70 mph and baseball-sized hail. Initial photos of damage from parts of Oklahoma showed power poles snapped,trees uprooted and homes shredded into splinters of wood and drywall. Power outages and flight delays also mounted in the storms’ path.
Severe weather is expected to continue overnight Monday and throughout the day Tuesday,in some cases striking areas that are still reeling from weekend storms. Click here for our updated forecast.
Keep reading for our updates from throughout the day Monday:
(08:56 p.m. EDT) An Increasing Concern Overnight
From senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:Parts of the Plains have been drenched by rounds of severe thunderstorms today. From 4 to 7 inches of rain has already fallen in southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri.
With more rain tonight,expect flash flooding to become an increasing threat in one of the nation’s most frequent flash flood zones,the Ozarks.
(08:38 p.m. EDT) Radar-Indicated Tornado Nears Fayetteville,Arkansas
Radar shows a tornado is in progress outside of Fayetteville,Arkansas. Residents remain under a tornado warning and are urged to seek shelter immediately.
(08:30 p.m. EDT) Photos Show Damage In Fort Gibson,Oklahoma
Photos and video posted to social media show poles snapped and trees uprooted after a storm swept through Fort Gibson. The damage may have been caused by strong winds,or a potential tornado.
Thunder can be heard rolling in the distance as residents walk through the debris.
(08:20 p.m. EDT) Tornado Crosses State Line
From senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:Radar is picking up the lofted debris of a tornado crossing into northwest Arkansas’ Washington County near the town of Lincoln,Arkansas.
Those in the towns of Lincoln and Prairie Grove should be in their storm shelters.
(08:08 p.m. EDT) Danger Of Falling Trees
From senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:Among the 60 reports of thunderstorm straight-line winds or wind damage,I’ve noticed some reports of trees on homes and vehicles,particularly in the Kansas City metro area.
That’s one reason why we suggest you take shelter for a severe thunderstorm warning just as you would a tornado warning. If a tree falls on your house,it could come crashing through the roof or an exterior wall.
(07:55 p.m. EDT) Initial Damage Revealed In Oklahoma
We’re now getting some of the first images of damage from a possible long-track tornado that touched down near Pittsburg,Oklahoma.
The photos show homes reduced to rubble,trees snapped and debris scattered.
It will likely take a few days to confirm the tornado’s full path and intensity.
(07:47 p.m. EDT) Severe Weather,So Far
From senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:Over the past 12 hours,the NWS has received about 150 reports of severe thunderstorms so far today,About 60% of those reports were of large hail,with Montague County,Texas,reporting two separate instances of hail from 4 to 4.5 inches in diameter.
That includes four reported tornadoes,three brief ones in eastern Nebraska,as well as one earlier near Wardville,Oklahoma.
(07:35 p.m. EDT) Possible Long-Track Tornado In Eastern Oklahoma
What may be a long-track tornado is approaching the town of Wilburton,Oklahoma,in Latimer County. Those in the town should be in shelter now.
(07:29 p.m. EDT) Restaurant Sign Blown Down In Tulsa Metro
Michael Finis just posted this photo on X moments ago of a downed sign in Sand Springs,a western suburb of Tulsa.
Tulsa International Airport reported a gust to 64 mph just after 4 p.m. CDT.
Another image shows apparent damage near Pittsburg,Oklahoma,where a large tornado was confirmed by radar.
(07:16 p.m. EDT) Power Outages Strike Severe-Swamped States
From producer Nardos Mesmer:Thousands of homes and businesses are without power as severe storms were confirmed across four states. According to Find Energy,about 128,000 residents in Oklahoma,Missouri,Kansas and Texas are in the dark. Outages are most severe in Oklahoma with more than 26,000 people waiting for electricity. Outages in Missouri and Kansas average more than 35,000 residents while storms and winds knocked out the power to 8,500 homes in Texas.
(07:04 p.m. EDT) Damaging Tornado In Eastern Oklahoma
According to the NWS-Tulsa office,a tornado,possibly strong,is over southern Pittsburg County,moving northeast.
Residents near Haileyville and Hartshorne should take cover immediately!
(06:57 p.m. EDT) Footage Shows Nebraska Tornado
Footage posted to social media by a stormchaser appears to show an observed tornado that struck near North Bend,Nebraska a short time ago. The National Weather Service office in Omaha issued a warning for the tornado that included a risk of golf-ball sized hail.
(06:46 p.m. EDT) Tornado Warnings Increasing
From senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:While we had a stretch about an hour ago with only severe thunderstorm warnings,we now have over a half dozen active tornado warnings from eastern Nebraska to southern Oklahoma.
We’re seeing rotation develop both in discrete supercell thunderstorms and embedded within clusters of storms.
(06:35 p.m. EDT) Confirmed Tornado In Southeast Oklahoma
Coal County emergency management confirmed a tornado was in progress northwest of Wardville,Oklahoma,moving northeast at 40 mph.
Those near Ashland,Kiowa and Savanna,Oklahoma,should be in their shelters now.
(06:24 p.m. EDT) Tornado Warnings Should Not Be The Only Thing You Pay Attention To
From meteorologist Sara Tonks:When a severe thunderstorm warning is issued,it's not an indicator that you can ignore the warning because there isn't a tornado. Here are a few threats accompanying severe thunderstorms (and non-severe thunderstorms) that are worth paying attention to:
Straight line wind damage - thunderstorms can cause gusty conditions capable of toppling trees,especially when the soil is already softened by heavy rain. Thunderstorm winds can knock trees down onto cars and homes,potentially injuring or killing occupants.
Hail - It only takes hail 1 inch in diameter to cause damage to roof shingles. Strong winds can also cause hail to pummel the side of your house,causing extensive damage.
Flash flooding - Flooding is the second deadliest weather event following extreme heat,and most deaths due to flooding have occurred while driving.
Lightning - If you can hear thunder,you are close enough to a storm to be struck by lightning. And even if the odds are technically low,lightning still poses a very real threat in active weather. Always follow the rule "when thunder roars,go indoors."
(06:12 p.m. EDT) Some Of The Latest Reports
- Oklahoma City:63 mph gust at Will Rogers Airport
- Montague County,Texas:4.5 inch diameter hail (as wide as a grapefruit)
- Tahlequah,Oklahoma:78 mph gust and street flooding reported
- Iola,Kansas:A couple of reports of motorists stranded on flooded roads
We may have also had at least a brief tornado near Tahlequah moments ago,as radar detected lofted debris. But,according to NWS-Tulsa,that rotation has now weakened.
(05:57 p.m. EDT) No Storm Shelter? Read This
Not everyone has access to a basement or a storm cellar,but there are still safe places to shelter during severe weather - like a windowless bathroom,closet,or hallway on the ground floor. If you’re caught at work,school,or even a mobile home,knowing where to go and what to do (crouch low,cover your head) can make all the difference.
Read more here about what to consider when sheltering from a storm.
(05:45 p.m. EDT) From Fear To Forecasting
Meteorologist Caitlin Kaiser admits even she had a childhood fear of tornadoes. But that fear sparked her passion for weather and ultimately led her to become a meteorologist. Now,she’s using that experience to help you stay safe.
Click here for Caitlin’s simple,life-saving tips for severe weather,from tornado watches to warnings.
(05:31 p.m. EDT) 75 Mph Wind Gust Near Kansas City
From meteorologist Sara Tonks:A 75 mph gust was just reported at Johnson County Executive Airport near Kansas City,Missouri. The area is under a severe thunderstorm warning for a line of strong storms capable of producing penny-sized hail moving through the region.
(05:18 p.m. EDT) Forecast Map Shows Cities Most At-Risk
Where are tornadoes most likely to strike today? Meteorologist Felicia Combs breaks it down,highlighting the regions facing the greatest threat - including cities like Springfield and Joplin,which are right in the bullseye. Find out what to expect as the danger ramps up today into tonight:
(05:04 p.m. EDT) Flood Threat,Too
From senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:It’s not just about severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. Flood watches are in effect in the Ozarks through tonight,and for parts of Kentucky and West Virginia Tuesday.
These areas have seen thunderstorms with soaking rain over the past several days,so additional rain from multiple rounds of storms will likely trigger local flash flooding,particularly over hilly or mountainous terrain where water will runoff quickly. If you have to travel,never drive into a flooded road and make sure you can receive flash flood alerts issued by your local National Weather Service office from your smartphone.
(04:50 p.m. EDT) Flight Delays Mount
Storms are already causing travel headaches this afternoon. According to the FAA,flights out of both Denver and Dallas/Fort Worth airports are experiencing ground delays.
At DFW alone,at least 35 flights have been canceled so far today,according to FlightAware.com. If you’re flying out of either airport,check your flight status,and of course,“pack your patience.”
(04:36 p.m. EDT) Baseball-Sized Hail Reported,More Large To Very Large Hail Likely
From meteorologist Sara Tonks:Large to very large hail (at least 2 inches in diameter) is a major threat from today’s storms across the Central and Southern Plains,focused on Oklahoma. The greatest possibility of very large hail will be in the afternoon to early evening,but large hail still remains possible overnight.
So far today,the largest hail reported was 3 inches in diameter,approximately the size of a baseball,near Bluegrove,Texas.
Several warned storms have been described as capable of causing tennis ball sized hail (2½ inches in diameter).
(04:23 p.m. EDT) Tornado Siren Damaged
Heads up,Southwest Lancaster County,Nebraska:A tornado siren was damaged during the weekend’s severe storms and is out of service heading into today’s dangerous weather.
With a tornado watch in effect until 9 p.m. officials are urging everyone to have multiple ways to receive warnings. Do not rely on outdoor sirens alone.
(04:03 p.m. EDT) What Meteorologists Wish You Knew
Hopefully,you know to take cover when a tornado warning is issued - but that’s just part of the story. Meteorologists want you to understand the full threat severe weather can bring,including dangers that come with powerful thunderstorms,even if they don’t include a warned tornado.
For starters,did you know tornado sirens weren’t designed to be heard indoors? And that radar can detect a tornado,even if no one can see it yet?
Plus,there are two must-have items experts say you should bring with you when you head to your safe place.
Click here to find out what they are,and what else meteorologists want you to know.
(03:51 p.m. EDT) Urgent - Radar Confirmed Tornado
From senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman,NWS-Norman,Oklahoma,just confirmed a tornado in progress just east of Allen,Oklahoma. Those near the towns of Atwood,Calvin and Horntown should be in their tornado shelters now!
(03:49 p.m. EDT) Tornado Tally,So Far
From senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:With NWS damage surveys still either ongoing or yet to be completed,at least 47 tornadoes appear to have been either confirmed or sighted from last Thursday (May 15) through Saturday (May 17). Over a dozen additional tornadoes likely occurred Sunday,with damage survey results still to be completed. One of those twisters Friday evening was rated EF4 in southern Williamson County,Illinois. That’s only the fourth EF4 tornado in the U.S. so far this year.
(03:40 p.m. EDT) First Tornado Warnings
The NWS has issued its first tornado warning of the afternoon,for southeastern Clay County,TX until 4 p.m. EDT. This storm is southeast of Henrietta,Texas,or about 25 miles southeast of Wichita Falls. It’s moving northeast,so it’s no danger to the city of Wichita Falls. But those in southeast Clay County should take shelter now.
Another tornado warning is in effect until 4:15 p.m. EDT for parts of Coal,Pontotoc and Hughes County in eastern Oklahoma.
(03:34 p.m. EDT) Turn On Your Emergency Alerts
The city of Fayetteville,Arkansas is urging residents to double-check their emergency alert settings as severe storms approach. Officials are reminding the public that having multiple ways to receive life-saving warnings - such as NOAA Weather Radio or Wireless Emergency Alerts - is crucial.
To make sure you get them,keep your phone fully charged and turn off “Do Not Disturb,” especially during overnight storms.
Residents can also activate additional alerts,like lightning strike notifications,through the Weather Channel App.
We have steps on how to make sure your phone receives necessary alerts here.
(03:20 p.m. EDT) What A “Level 4 Of 5” Severe Risk Means
From senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:Today’s severe weather threat isn’t an ordinary one. In their daily severe weather forecast,NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has a threat level 4 out of 5 - also known as a “moderate” risk - in parts of Oklahoma,southeast Kansas,southern Missouri and northwest Arkansas.
These level 4 of 5 risks are typically only issued about a dozen days a year,reserved for outbreaks of either strong tornadoes and/or widespread damaging thunderstorm winds.
You can read more about these daily severe weather outlooks here.
(03:06 p.m. EDT) Oklahoma Graduation Ceremonies Postponed
School districts across Oklahoma are adjusting schedules today as severe weather threatens the region. Oklahoma City,Broken Arrow and Wagoner public schools have all announced delays for graduation ceremonies out of an abundance of caution.
Several schools have also canceled after-school activities,citing the priority of student and staff safety. Families are being urged to monitor local alerts and stay weather-aware.
(02:55 p.m. EDT) Three Tornado Watches Now In Effect
NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has just issued a tornado watch until 9 p.m. CDT for all of eastern Kansas and most of western Missouri. This watch includes Kansas City,Topeka and Wichita,Kansas.
That makes three tornado watches currently in effect,from Nebraska and Iowa to Oklahoma and Arkansas.
