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Dangerous Storms and Tornadoes Are Expected in Midwest and South Large Tornado Seen in Arkansas as Dangerous Storms Move Through Midwest and South
(32 minutes later)
Strong to potentially violent tornadoes are likely on Friday in the Mississippi Valley, as a complex and dangerous storm system is poised to hit the Upper Midwest and South, forecasters said. A large tornado was spotted near Little Rock, Ark., on Friday afternoon, prompting meteorologists there to evacuate as the National Weather Service declared it an “emergency.”
Damaging wind gusts and very large hail are expected in the region from the afternoon through the evening, the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center said. Widespread and damaging thunderstorms are likely, and flash flooding is also possible, forecasters said. The tornado is part of a complex and dangerous storm system that is poised to hit the Upper Midwest and South, forecasters said.
Images from the city showed debris and damage to homes from the tornado, which KATV 7, a local TV station in Little Rock, described as “catastrophic,” saying it expected widespread damage. In addition to the tornado emergency for parts of Little Rock, forecasters also declared an emergency for parts of nearby Sherwood and Jacksonville.
Meteorologists at the Little Rock office of the National Weather Service had to move to a tornado shelter on Friday afternoon, as it became clear their office was in the twister’s path. The Memphis office of the Weather Service planned to issue warnings and monitor the weather on their behalf, said Desiree Meadows, a meteorologist in Memphis.
The worst of the storm system may not yet have passed. Damaging wind gusts and very large hail are expected in the region from the afternoon through the evening, the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center said. Widespread and damaging thunderstorms are likely, and flash flooding is also possible, forecasters said.
“Keep in mind that these storms will be fast moving today,” said Ashton Robinson Cook, a meteorologist at the Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center. “So if you find yourself in the path of one, be prepared to take shelter immediately.”“Keep in mind that these storms will be fast moving today,” said Ashton Robinson Cook, a meteorologist at the Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center. “So if you find yourself in the path of one, be prepared to take shelter immediately.”
In the evening, the storms are expected to move east through the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys, where they are expected to bring damaging winds, large hail and may spawn strong tornadoes. On Friday afternoon, the Weather Service issued tornado watches that affected more than 13.1 million people. In Little Rock, Ark., a tornado warning was in effect. In the evening, the storms are expected to move east through the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys, where they are expected to bring damaging winds, large hail and may spawn strong tornadoes.
More than 28 million people were under tornado watches on Friday afternoon, the Weather Service said. A tornado warning was in place for an area including Peoria, Ill.
A tornado watch was issued for parts of central and eastern Iowa, western Illinois, northern and central Missouri and southwest Wisconsin until 8 p.m. Central time. The Weather Service said that the area was likely to see “numerous” strong tornadoes, including a few intense tornadoes, large hail that could be 3 inches in diameter and widespread damaging wind gusts of 70 m.p.h.A tornado watch was issued for parts of central and eastern Iowa, western Illinois, northern and central Missouri and southwest Wisconsin until 8 p.m. Central time. The Weather Service said that the area was likely to see “numerous” strong tornadoes, including a few intense tornadoes, large hail that could be 3 inches in diameter and widespread damaging wind gusts of 70 m.p.h.
Another tornado watch was issued until 8 p.m. Central time for most of Arkansas, southeastern Missouri, southern Illinois, eastern Kentucky, eastern Tennessee and northeastern Mississippi. The Weather Service said there were likely to be several strong tornadoes, scattered hail up to tennis-ball size and scattered wind gusts of up to 70 m.p.h.Another tornado watch was issued until 8 p.m. Central time for most of Arkansas, southeastern Missouri, southern Illinois, eastern Kentucky, eastern Tennessee and northeastern Mississippi. The Weather Service said there were likely to be several strong tornadoes, scattered hail up to tennis-ball size and scattered wind gusts of up to 70 m.p.h.
Parts of northwestern Louisiana, southern Oklahoma and northeastern Texas were affected by another tornado watch.Parts of northwestern Louisiana, southern Oklahoma and northeastern Texas were affected by another tornado watch.
The storms could affect an area stretching from Louisiana to Wisconsin, including Little Rock, Ark., Memphis, St. Louis, Des Moines, Chicago and other major cities. In a large area of the Mississippi Valley, “at least a few long-track, strong to potentially violent tornadoes” are probable, the Prediction Center said.The storms could affect an area stretching from Louisiana to Wisconsin, including Little Rock, Ark., Memphis, St. Louis, Des Moines, Chicago and other major cities. In a large area of the Mississippi Valley, “at least a few long-track, strong to potentially violent tornadoes” are probable, the Prediction Center said.
Ahead of the storms, crews worked to clear debris from drains in areas prone to flooding. Officials encouraged residents to have a plan to take shelter, to prepare for possible power outages and to have multiple ways to get weather alerts, such as on their phone and on the radio.Ahead of the storms, crews worked to clear debris from drains in areas prone to flooding. Officials encouraged residents to have a plan to take shelter, to prepare for possible power outages and to have multiple ways to get weather alerts, such as on their phone and on the radio.
Officials also said people should clear large or loose material from their property, including patio furniture, dead trees and hanging branches that could become “a dangerous projectile” during high winds.Officials also said people should clear large or loose material from their property, including patio furniture, dead trees and hanging branches that could become “a dangerous projectile” during high winds.
The storms could affect parts of Mississippi that were devastated last week by tornadoes that left at least 26 people dead.The storms could affect parts of Mississippi that were devastated last week by tornadoes that left at least 26 people dead.
President Biden on Friday is set to visit the Mississippi community hit hardest by the tornadoes, Rolling Fork. Tornadoes killed 13 people and destroyed homes and businesses in the town and in surrounding Sharkey County.President Biden on Friday is set to visit the Mississippi community hit hardest by the tornadoes, Rolling Fork. Tornadoes killed 13 people and destroyed homes and businesses in the town and in surrounding Sharkey County.
Midday Friday The Storm Prediction Center upgraded the risk of severe weather to “high” — the top level on a five-category scale — for parts of Iowa, Illinois and Missouri near the Iowa-Illinois border, as well as for another area covering parts of eastern Arkansas, northwest Missouri and southwest Tennessee, including Memphis. Midday Friday the Storm Prediction Center upgraded the risk of severe weather to “high” — the top level on a five-category scale — for parts of Iowa, Illinois and Missouri near the Iowa-Illinois border, as well as for another area covering parts of eastern Arkansas, northwest Missouri and southwest Tennessee, including Memphis.
The center last used the high designation for severe weather risk two years ago, on March 25, 2021, hours before powerful tornadoes struck Alabama and Georgia, killing at least six people.The center last used the high designation for severe weather risk two years ago, on March 25, 2021, hours before powerful tornadoes struck Alabama and Georgia, killing at least six people.
The Storm Prediction Center also extended a “moderate” risk designation, the fourth level on the scale, to a large area across Illinois and into much of Indiana. The area also included parts of eastern Missouri and Arkansas, western Tennessee and Kentucky, northern Mississippi and northwestern Alabama. More than 18 million people are in the high and moderate risk areas.The Storm Prediction Center also extended a “moderate” risk designation, the fourth level on the scale, to a large area across Illinois and into much of Indiana. The area also included parts of eastern Missouri and Arkansas, western Tennessee and Kentucky, northern Mississippi and northwestern Alabama. More than 18 million people are in the high and moderate risk areas.
The Weather Service advised residents to look out for safety alerts. If a tornado warning is issued, people should move to a safe place, preferably an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.The Weather Service advised residents to look out for safety alerts. If a tornado warning is issued, people should move to a safe place, preferably an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
The Quad Cities will likely see two rounds of severe weather on Friday, forecasters said. The first will begin in the early afternoon and the second in the early evening. During both events, winds may reach up to 75 miles per hour, and some strong tornadoes may be possible.The Quad Cities will likely see two rounds of severe weather on Friday, forecasters said. The first will begin in the early afternoon and the second in the early evening. During both events, winds may reach up to 75 miles per hour, and some strong tornadoes may be possible.
The storms could also produce intense rainfall that leads to flash flooding. The area at greatest risk for flooding through Friday night extends from Arkansas to Kentucky and includes western Tennessee and northern Mississippi. This could be followed by thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts across the northern Appalachians and interior Northeast on Saturday.The storms could also produce intense rainfall that leads to flash flooding. The area at greatest risk for flooding through Friday night extends from Arkansas to Kentucky and includes western Tennessee and northern Mississippi. This could be followed by thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts across the northern Appalachians and interior Northeast on Saturday.
Farther north, heavy snow and blizzard conditions are likely from South Dakota to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, forecasters said. The combination of heavy, wet snow and high winds could damage trees and cause power outages through the Great Lakes region.
There is evidence that the United States can expect more unusual severe storms as the planet heats up, potentially striking in new places or at unexpected times of year. It’s not clear whether that will mean more tornadoes in the future, but scientists say the risks of increasingly wild weather make it all the more urgent that cities and states take steps to protect people and property.
Derrick Bryson Taylor and John Keefe contributed reporting.Derrick Bryson Taylor and John Keefe contributed reporting.