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Another Round of Severe Storms Is Expected From Texas to Illinois Another Round of Severe Storms Is Expected From Texas to Illinois
(about 1 hour later)
Communities across the country faced another round of severe weather this week as regions in seven states recovered from a powerful storm system that killed at least 32 people over the weekend. Communities across the country face another round of severe weather this week as regions in seven states recovered from a powerful storm system that killed at least 32 people over the weekend.
Forecasters said a storm system was expected to develop on Tuesday after destructive tornadoes and strong storms barreled through parts of the South, the Midwest and the East on Friday and Saturday.Forecasters said a storm system was expected to develop on Tuesday after destructive tornadoes and strong storms barreled through parts of the South, the Midwest and the East on Friday and Saturday.
This next one could bring the potential for a “few strong tornadoes,” large hail and damaging wind gusts across from Texas to Illinois, the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center said. This next one could bring the potential for a “few strong tornadoes,” large hail and damaging wind gusts from Texas to Illinois, the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center said.
Two areas are of great concern for Tuesday: One stretches from northeast Texas through Arkansas and into southern Missouri, and another takes in northern Missouri, southeast Iowa and much of Illinois.Two areas are of great concern for Tuesday: One stretches from northeast Texas through Arkansas and into southern Missouri, and another takes in northern Missouri, southeast Iowa and much of Illinois.
In these regions, where more than 18 million people live, the center said that the risk of severe weather was “enhanced,” the third-highest category on a five-level risk scale. The center said that in these regions the risk of severe weather was “enhanced,” the third-highest category on a five-level risk scale.
Because of the expected severe weather, which could include tornadoes and hail, the Chicago Board of Elections urged residents to vote early on Monday ahead of Election Day on Tuesday.
“If they can, we urge Chicago voters to take advantage of the last day of early voting this Monday, April 3rd, and to return their Vote By Mail ballots back to any secure drop box in the city,’’ Max Bever, a spokesman for the board, said in a statement. “Don’t delay and vote today.”
Several portions of Iowa, including Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Waterloo, were at a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms for late Tuesday afternoon and evening, the Weather Service said on Monday.Several portions of Iowa, including Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Waterloo, were at a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms for late Tuesday afternoon and evening, the Weather Service said on Monday.
Marc Chenard, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said that the risks from the storms on Tuesday could be similar to the storm system that tore through several of the same states on Friday and Saturday.Marc Chenard, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said that the risks from the storms on Tuesday could be similar to the storm system that tore through several of the same states on Friday and Saturday.
“It looks like, again, there will be the potential for some organized clusters of thunderstorms,” Mr. Chenard said, adding that they could produce damaging winds “and even some strong tornadoes.”“It looks like, again, there will be the potential for some organized clusters of thunderstorms,” Mr. Chenard said, adding that they could produce damaging winds “and even some strong tornadoes.”
Forecast maps for Tuesday bear a resemblance to those of Friday’s storms system, with higher risks for severe weather centered on portions of Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa and Missouri.Forecast maps for Tuesday bear a resemblance to those of Friday’s storms system, with higher risks for severe weather centered on portions of Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa and Missouri.
“No two storm systems are going to be identical, but it is a somewhat similar setup, just the way the whole system is evolving,” Mr. Chenard said, adding that the forecast could change.“No two storm systems are going to be identical, but it is a somewhat similar setup, just the way the whole system is evolving,” Mr. Chenard said, adding that the forecast could change.
Ahead of Tuesday’s storm system, forecasters in Texas were eyeing the possibility of severe weather on Sunday over a part of the state that includes the Dallas area.
The National Weather Service reported a tornado was spotted just before 6 p.m. Central Daylight Time near Thornton, a town about 40 miles east of Waco, Texas.
Dozens of counties in Texas and Louisiana were under tornado warnings or watches on Sunday night, after earlier watches in Oklahoma had expired. Six Flags Over Texas, a theme park near Arlington, said it had closed because of the inclement weather. On Monday, about 13,000 customers were without power in Arkansas, and about 10,400 were without power in Texas, according to poweroutage.us.
“All severe hazards are possible,” the Storm Prediction Center said on Twitter, adding that large hail, wind gusts of up to 75 miles per hour and “a strong tornado or two” were possible.
While tornadoes can happen any time of the year, historically, tornado activity in most states tends to peak in the spring. Still, it is uncommon for communities to face such a damaging storm system followed by another just a few days later.While tornadoes can happen any time of the year, historically, tornado activity in most states tends to peak in the spring. Still, it is uncommon for communities to face such a damaging storm system followed by another just a few days later.
The severe weather of the past two days comes just a week after a destructive storm system ripped through portions of the South, killing at least 26 people and flattening parts of Rolling Fork, Miss. The recent severe weather comes just a week after a destructive storm system ripped through portions of the South, killing at least 26 people and flattening parts of Rolling Fork, Miss.
“It’s not necessarily normal to have potentially higher-end events fall on each other, but it is the time of year where that can happen,” Mr. Chenard said.“It’s not necessarily normal to have potentially higher-end events fall on each other, but it is the time of year where that can happen,” Mr. Chenard said.
After ravaging at least seven states, the storm system that started on Friday continued tracking east on Saturday, producing strong winds and heavy rain and prompting temporary ground stops at airports in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia. After ravaging at least seven states, the storm system that started on Friday continued tracking east on Saturday, producing strong winds and heavy rain.
Videos circulated online of a possible tornado on Saturday in Howell Township, N.J. The National Weather Service said on Sunday it would send out storm survey teams to assess damage there and other portions of New Jersey. Survey teams confirmed on Sunday that a tornado had struck near Jackson Township, N.J. Videos circulated online of a possible tornado on Saturday in Howell Township, N.J. Survey teams confirmed on Sunday that a tornado had struck near Jackson Township, N.J.
The Weather Service received more than 300 reports of strong winds on Saturday, including one wind gust of 98 m.p.h. in Sussex County, Del., where officials said one person died in a structure collapse and where the Weather Service said a tornado struck the area on Saturday. The Weather Service received more than 300 reports of strong winds on Saturday, including one wind gust of 98 m.p.h. in Sussex County, Del., where officials said one person died in a structure collapse and where the Weather Service said a tornado struck on Saturday.
By Sunday, this weekend’s storm system had faded and drifted into the Atlantic Ocean, but several states will still be dealing with aftermath of the severe weather.
President Biden on Sunday approved a disaster declaration for three counties in Arkansas, which will provide federal funding for recovery efforts.President Biden on Sunday approved a disaster declaration for three counties in Arkansas, which will provide federal funding for recovery efforts.
Livia Albeck-Ripka and Johnny Diaz contributed reporting.Livia Albeck-Ripka and Johnny Diaz contributed reporting.