Severe thunderstorms and wild weather across the country wreak havoc on Memorial Day Weekend holiday travel
Severe storms are expected to cause travel chaos over Memorial Day Weekend for millions of people across the South, Plains and Mississippi Valley.
Two-inch hailstones and 70mph winds are likely to impact flights and local transport in several states from Texas to Alabama on Sunday, forecasters have warned.
Severe storm advisories covers a population of 13 million people across several major cities including Memphis, Tennessee; Denver and Colorado Springs, Colorado; Birmingham, Alabama; and Oklahoma City and Tulsa in Oklahoma.
The National Weather Service and AccuWeather have warned that tornadoes could even strike in some areas as thunderstorms are due to close in on Sunday afternoon.
'The main threats from severe thunderstorms include dangerous lightning, winds strong enough to snap tree limbs and hail large enough to damage vehicles,' AccuWeather meteorologists said. 'A few tornadoes cannot be ruled out as well.'
The strongest storms are expected to target parts of the Texas Panhandle and western Oklahoma overnight into Memorial Day on Monday, though heavy rain is also set to impact as far east as Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.
Forecasters identified central Oklahoma as the danger zone for tornadoes, while Memphis, Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Birmingham are most at-risk for hail.
Some areas have already experienced unprecedented rainfall for the time of year, with five inches of rain recorded in parts of Missouri over Saturday.
As the ground becomes saturated, many metro areas could also experience flooding through the MWD vacation period, putting a dampener on plans to travel by car.
Though safe from the worst of the incoming storms, parts of the North East have also also been deluged with an unseasonable amount of rain this month.
It comes as meteorologists predicted an 'above average' hurricane season this year, urging Americans to start preparing for the worst now.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said on Thursday that there will likely be more named storms this year than in 2024, when 18 such storms were tracked.
Overall, NOAA is predicting up to 19 named storms, 10 hurricanes, and five major hurricanes affecting the US this year.
The National Hurricane Center noted that approximately 400 people died during 2024's hurricane season, the deadliest season since 2005.
Ken Graham, the director of NOAA's National Weather Service, said: 'We've got to convince people of the danger.'
'Every Category 5 [hurricane] that has ever hit this country was a tropical storm or less three days prior,' Graham warned.
Graham urged people to begin stocking up on emergency supplies, including gas and other essentials, before long lines form during an actual emergency.
Laura Grimm, the chief of staff for NOAA, noted that the agency's prediction for 2024 'was right on the money.'
When asked about funding cuts to NOAA by the Trump Administration, Graham noted that the National Hurricane Center remains 'fully staffed' and the cuts won't affect their 2025 forecasting.
Overall, the National Weather Service is predicting that this hurricane season will likely surpass 2024, which saw 18 named storms
'The number one thing to do before hurricane season is know your threat. If you're along a river, you know to prepare for flooding,' Graham said.
'Know your evacuation plan if you're on the coast,' he added.
Grimm recommended that Americans begin preparing for hurricane season now, before major storms start approaching the East Coast.
He added that NOAA's hurricane tracking system is scheduled to undergo an upgrade this year that will make their forecasts throughout the 2025 season even more precise.
Graham revealed that NOAA's five-day forecasts are now as accurate as a three-day forecast was in 2005, helping federal officials put out more accurate evacuation warnings in an emergency.
The new warnings come after meteorologists at AccuWeather released their forecast for the 2025 season in March, which included a prediction of six major storms directly hitting the US this summer.
That's the same number of storms that caused roughly $500 billion in damage in 2024, with Hurricanes Helene and Milton bringing the most destruction.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
26 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Air travelers are trying to bypass REAL ID requirements with a hilarious hack
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is shutting down a bizarre travel hack: air travelers attempting to use their Costco cards as valid ID at the airport. Starting last month, US travelers were told they needed a federally approved REAL ID or passport to board a domestic flight, with a standard driver's license no longer cutting it. Still, some hopeful vacationers believed their trusty Costco membership cards would be their golden ticket through security. The TSA made it clear in a Facebook post this week that the membership card cannot act as a substitute. 'We love hotdogs and rotisserie chickens as much as the next person but please stop telling people their Costco card counts as REAL ID because it absolutely does not,' the agency wrote. The TSA's response to the hilarious ID 'hack' sparked over 700 comments - with most amused by the idea, while others insisted the Costco card should actually count as a valid form of ID. 'I'm pretty sure that the Costco card is stronger than some passports,' one joked. 'I mean at least it has a STAR on it,' another wrote. 'Do you take Uncle Sam's Club card though?' a third quipped 'What's more American than using a card that gives you access to hotdogs?' yet another chimed in. In March, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that passengers must have an upgraded REAL ID to board domestic flights without a passport. Created in response to the 9/11 attacks, the REAL ID Act set stricter standards for state-issued IDs - raising the bar on identity verification to bolster national security. Applicants must present documents that prove their identity, legal presence in the U.S., Social Security number, and address. This reduces the chances of fake IDs or identity fraud. In most cases, REAL IDs are marked by a white star inside a yellow circle. They also have enhanced physical features - including barcodes and security holograms - that make them harder to forge and easier for authorities to recognize at a glance. The announcement triggered severe wait times and a scramble for DMV appointments, as Americans rushed to secure their REAL IDs ahead of the May deadline. Although the law was passed in 2005, enforcement deadlines have been pushed back multiple times - more recently due to COVID 19-related delays. By April, 81 percent of travelers presented a state-issued REAL ID or acceptable alternative, according to the TSA. Acceptable alternatives include a valid passport, passport card, or Department of Homeland Security trusted-traveler cards like Global Entry or Nexus. After 20 years in the making, the REAL ID requirement officially took effect on May 7. The IDs have been available through the DMV for years, and those who missed the May deadline can still apply.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
As World Pride starts in Washington, some foreigners stay away
Across Washington, large rainbow flags are flying next to the stars and stripes as the city plays host to World Pride, a global celebration of LGBTQ culture and getting the world to come has proved challenging this year. Some international travellers are choosing to skip the biennial event over travel fears, while others are protesting President Donald Trump's Siregar, a Montreal-based data analyst who is transgender, had planned to attend. But travelling to the US at the moment was unthinkable, she told the BBC."It is a risk to now come over and especially as a trans woman," she US capital won the bid to host World Pride years before Trump's re-election. In January, the event's organisers had projected the celebration, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of Washington's first Pride march, would attract three million visitors and contribute nearly $800 million to the local economy. But their expectations have now dropped to about a third of their previous estimates. Hotel occupancy rates are also down compared to last year. Ms Siregar, 30, holds both Canadian and US citizenship but says she has been unable to renew her US passport because of new rules implemented by the Trump administration that prevents transgender Americans from changing their gender on official documents. The White House says it is defending "the biological reality of sex".She could travel south with her Canadian passport, but she is worried border agents may not accept her gender, which is listed as female on her Canadian documents. Reports of other foreign travellers being detained and taken into custody have raised her concerns, she said."It's too dangerous to risk it," she said.A spokesperson for US Customs and Border Protection said that a person's gender identity does not make them inadmissible. "A foreign traveller's gender as indicated on their passport and their personal beliefs about sexuality do not render a person inadmissible," the spokesperson told the BBC in a statement. "Claims to the contrary are false."But Ms Siregar is not alone in her concerns. Several European governments including Germany, Finland, and Denmark have issued travel advisories for transgender and non-binary citizens travelling to the US. Equality Australia, an advocacy group, also issued a travel alert for gender non-conforming people and those with a history of LGBTQ Canada, one of the country's largest LGBTQ charities, said it was not participating in World Pride because of concerns for the safety of their transgender and non-binary staff. Egale Canada has previously participated in World Pride events in London, Sydney and at home in Toronto."We are very concerned about the general tone and hostility towards domestic LGBTI people in the US, but also to those who may be visiting the US from other jurisdictions," its executive director Helen Kennedy repeated comments about making Canada the 51st US state was also a factor, she added. Ms Kennedy said the organisation wasn't boycotting World Pride itself, but protesting against Trump's policies on LGBTQ issues. Since coming into office, Trump has rolled back some LGBTQ protections, including revoking a Biden-era executive order on preventing discrimination "on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation". He has also banned diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in federal agencies. Supporters say those policies help correct injustices, but others, including Trump, say they are themselves discriminatory. His administration has also banned transgender people from serving in the military and banned federal funding for gender care for transgender youth. It has also threatened to suspend funding for states that allow transgender athletes to compete. Trump has defended his actions, saying trans women in sports is "demeaning for women and it's very bad for our country".Some of these policies are currently being challenged in week, US media reported plans by the navy to rename a ship that had been christened to honour Harvey Milk. The former Navy sailor and activist was the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California, in former President Joe Biden held a Pride month event on the White House lawn in 2023 and issued a proclomation in support of the community last year, Mr Trump has not spoken in recent days about the celebration. Asked about the president's position on World Pride, a spokesman for the White House told the New York Times that Trump was "fostering a sense of national pride that should be celebrated daily" and that he was "honoured to serve all Americans." Capital Pride Alliance, the organisation running this year's World Pride in DC, told the BBC it has recieved "an unordinary amount of questions and concerns"."Our celebration is quite literally in the footsteps of the Capitol Building and a block away from the White House, something that a lot of people are conscious of," Sahand Miraminy, Capital Pride Alliance's director of operations, the first time, Pride in DC will have an enclosed perimeter and weapons detectors, he said, in part because this year's event will draw larger crowds than usual. World Pride events will also see an elevated presence of the Metropolitan Police Department's LGBTQ+ liaison unit that will be "first priority" to respond to emergencies, Mr Miraminy Mayor Muriel Bowser acknowledged that visitors "feel scared that an environment is developing that is anti-LGBTQ". But "we can't live in fear, we have to live our lives [and] be as best prepared as we can," she Laczko, the co-owner of Her Diner in DuPont Circle, one of DC's most vibrant LGBTQ neighbourhoods, said she's also increased security for the weekend."I feel like normally with Pride we are ready for the celebration," she said. "And obviously the current administration has put a big damper on that." Although she will not be in Washington, Ms Siregar said she hopes others do visit."I do think that people in the US should attend and be safe in attending," she said. "It's important that people stand up more than ever now."Ms Laczko agrees. "Even joy can be an act of defiance," she said.
The Independent
6 hours ago
- The Independent
Meghan shares video of family trip to Disneyland for Lili's fourth birthday
The Duchess of Sussex has shared another intimate video of the family celebrating Princess Lilibet's fourth birthday at Disneyland. The post on Instagram showed the family enjoying rides at the California attraction, drawing comparisons with Harry's childhood trip to Florida's Walt Disney World with Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1993. The montage also features a clip of Archie, six, and Lili meeting Disney princess Elsa, from the film Frozen. Meghan wears a Minnie Mouse hat in some of the snaps featured in the video, while another image shows a two-tier Little Mermaid-themed birthday cake for Lili. The duchess captioned the video: 'Thank you @disneyland for giving our family two days of pure joy!' The footage was reminiscent of photos taken of the duke when he was eight and his mother Diana took him and William to Walt Disney World. At the time, the royal siblings were photographed sitting at the front of a log on the Splash Mountain ride, with adults from their mother's entourage behind them and Diana seated at the back. Meghan's post follows a number of family shots over recent days to mark Lili's birthday. In one, she posted a throwback video of herself twerking in a bid to bring on labour while pregnant with the princess, while another post featured a black and white snap of herself cuddling Lili. In another post, she described how Lili's relationship with Harry was 'the sweetest bond to watch unfold'. She shared two photos of the princess with her father the duke, adding: 'Daddy's little girl and favorite adventurer. Happy birthday Lili!' Lili – the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's youngest child – was born on June 4 2021 and was named Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor. Lilibet is named after her great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II.
