Strong tornadoes are forecast across five states this weekend, the National Weather Service said Saturday, following a string of tornadoes and severe weather that tore through the Midwest on Friday, destroying homes and businesses in Nebraska and Iowa.
KEY FACTS
Severe thunderstorms with the potential for “several” tornadoes are forecast across parts of Oklahoma, northern Texas, Kansas, Iowa and western Missouri, the National Weather Service said, with the potential for “widespread damaging” winds over 70 miles per hour and “very large hail” over two inches in diameter.
Areas near Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Wichita Falls, Texas, face a “moderate” risk of severe weather Saturday, according to the National Weather Service—the second-highest risk level the agency issues—while areas around Dallas, Fort Worth, Kansas City and Wichita, Kansas, face an “enhanced” risk.
A “slight” risk for severe weather has been issued across an area stretching from southwestern Texas to northern Michigan, including possible risks in Milwaukee, Chicago and Madison, Wisconsin.The threat of tornadoes will likely increase through the late afternoon and early evening across the central U.S. with the possibility of “multiple strong tornadoes,” the National Weather Service said.
Amid threats of tornadoes, some areas—including Oklahoma City, Tulsa and parts of Kansas and Texas—will likely be affected by heavy fall of up to eight inches, which could result in dangerous flash floods, forecasters said.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Severe, damaging storms are also expected Sunday from Texas to Wisconsin, though the strength of those storms will likely be affected by the severity of Saturday’s weather, the National Weather Service said. Some tornadoes are possible from northeastern Texas to southern Iowa, with heavy rainfall and possible flooding expected in the Mississippi Valley.
BIG NUMBER
100. That’s how many tornadoes were reported to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center on Friday. Tornadoes were confirmed across eastern Nebraska and Oklahoma, western Iowa and Missouri and northeastern Texas.
KEY BACKGROUND
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen issued emergency proclamations Friday, after tornadoes destroyed homes across both states, with parts of the Omaha area sustaining heavy damage. Pottawattamie County, Iowa, officials said about 120 homes and businesses were destroyed after a tornado tore through Minden—just east of Omaha—as four people suffered storm-related injuries. Two people in Omaha suffered minor injuries after a tornado moved through the Elkhorn neighborhood, local police said, in addition to significant property damage in Shelby and Douglas counties.
