Hundreds of Thousands Given Minutes to Take Shelter As Severe Storms Hit
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Communities across the Midwest, Southeast, and South United States were placed under urgent severe thunderstorm warnings Tuesday, with the National Weather Service (NWS) issuing immediate shelter directives to hundreds of thousands of residents across numerous states.
Within minutes, warnings and shelter-in-place orders were issued in regions from Minnesota to Florida, as radar indicated storms threatened to bring damaging winds, hail, flash flooding, and the risk of tornadoes to impacted areas.
Why It Matters
Severe storm warnings, especially those issued with little advance notice, can leave affected residents with only minutes to seek safety. Tuesday's alerts underscored the unpredictability and widespread reach of hazardous summer weather in the U.S., with more than 400,000 people at risk of lightning, hail, and destructive winds with the current warnings. Past events, such as the deadly flash floods in Texas and tornado outbreaks across the Midwest earlier this year, highlight the life-threatening nature of such rapidly developing storms.
A storm is seen over a rural landscape.
A storm is seen over a rural landscape.
Greg Kelton/Getty
What to Know
On Tuesday, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued multiple severe thunderstorm warnings across Alabama, Florida, Minnesota, and South Carolina.
The warnings affected counties such as Jackson and DeKalb in Alabama, St. Lucie, Okeechobee, Martin, Gadsden, Leon, Wakulla, and others in Florida, Aitkin and Crow Wing in Minnesota, and Clarendon, Orangeburg, and Charleston in South Carolina.
Alabama: At 2:44 p.m. CDT, a severe thunderstorm near Pisgah prompted warnings for southeastern Jackson and central DeKalb counties, threatening 60 mph wind gusts and penny-sized hail. The NWS warned of roof, siding, and tree damage and the possibility of flash flooding in low-lying areas.
At 2:44 p.m. CDT, a severe thunderstorm near Pisgah prompted warnings for southeastern Jackson and central DeKalb counties, threatening 60 mph wind gusts and penny-sized hail. The NWS warned of roof, siding, and tree damage and the possibility of flash flooding in low-lying areas. Florida: Warnings covered areas near Tallahassee, Okeechobee, St. Lucie, and Martin Counties, with storms producing wind gusts up to 60 mph and hail. Locations threatened included state capitols and major highways. Residents in mobile homes or outdoors were advised to seek immediate shelter. NWS meteorologist Blair Scholl told Newsweek it's possible another severe thunderstorm warning will be issued over the next few hours in the Florida panhandle region.
Warnings covered areas near Tallahassee, Okeechobee, St. Lucie, and Martin Counties, with storms producing wind gusts up to 60 mph and hail. Locations threatened included state capitols and major highways. Residents in mobile homes or outdoors were advised to seek immediate shelter. NWS meteorologist Blair Scholl told Newsweek it's possible another severe thunderstorm warning will be issued over the next few hours in the Florida panhandle region. South Carolina: Severe thunderstorms with wind gusts forecast at 60 mph impacted Charleston, Clarendon, and Orangeburg counties. The warnings instructed people to move to interior rooms on the lowest floors and avoid windows due to the risk of falling trees and property damage.
Severe thunderstorms with wind gusts forecast at 60 mph impacted Charleston, Clarendon, and Orangeburg counties. The warnings instructed people to move to interior rooms on the lowest floors and avoid windows due to the risk of falling trees and property damage. Minnesota: In Aitkin and Crow Wing counties, a storm near Emily moved east at 35 mph, bringing possible 70 mph wind gusts and quarter-sized hail. The NWS issued a precaution about the chance of tornado development, advising residents to monitor warnings closely and prepare for rapid changes.
Across the affected regions, the NWS warnings highlighted specific at-risk locations, such as campgrounds, marinas, universities, and urban areas, and included directives such as: "For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building."
Severe thunderstorm warnings can sometimes precede tornado development, as noted in guidance urging residents to remain alert for updates. Hail and damaging winds were some of the most serious impacts of the storm, but in Alabama, torrential rainfall also endangered people.
"Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to flash flooding," the severe thunderstorm warning said. "Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways."
The NWS advised that severe thunderstorms can develop with little notice, leaving limited time for preparation. As severe weather sweeps into the evening hours, risks include downed trees and powerlines, property damage, and dangerous flash flooding. Power outages and travel disruptions are likely in the most severely hit regions.
What People Are Saying
NWS Tallahassee in a post on X, formerly Twitter: "It's getting messy with these storms converging on each other. The I-10 corridor down to #Tallahassee is will be impacted imminently. Seek shelter if you're in the area. Can't rule out a severe thunderstorm and/or flash flood warning."
NWS in a Tuesday forecast: "Scattered severe thunderstorms are expected over parts of the northern Plains into the upper Mississippi Valley today, with damaging winds and large hail as the primary threats. Heavy rainfall could lead to areas of flooding across the northern Plains, Upper Midwest, Southeast and Southwest."
What Happens Next
Although some warnings began to expire within an hour—reflecting the swift movement of the storm cells—the NWS cautioned that atmospheric conditions remain conducive to further severe weather. Additional warnings, including tornado watches, could be issued in the coming hours. Residents in threatened areas were advised to remain vigilant, stay tuned to official weather alerts, and take immediate action if additional warnings are broadcast.
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