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New York Times
a day ago
- Climate
- New York Times
Severe Weather Expected Across Much of the U.S. on Saturday
After a run of severe weather this week, another day of thunderstorm activity was on tap for the Mid-Atlantic, the Southeast and the Southern Plains on Saturday, and the severe weather was expected to persist through the weekend, forecasters said. On Saturday, the threat will be focused over the Southeast, with the highest risk over northern Mississippi and northern Alabama, where clusters of thunderstorms could kick up powerful, damaging winds. When these clusters of thunderstorms become organized, they can 'create their own environment and they become more powerful than a typical thunderstorm,' said Scott Kleebauer, a meteorologist with the Weather Prediction Center. There will also be a low threat of tornadoes on Saturday, 'but the main threat will be wind and that will be across the northern half of Alabama and Mississippi,' he said. On Sunday, the highest area of risk shifts into the southern Plains, especially the Texas Panhandle into western-north Texas and southwest Oklahoma, where thunderstorms could deliver strong winds and large hail, with a moderate risk for tornadoes. Lubbock and Amarillo in Texas and Lawton, Okla., all fall within areas with an enhanced risk of thunderstorm activity. 'I would say the best bet for tornadoes on Sunday would be the Texas Panhandle,' Mr. Kleebauer said. Forecast risk of severe storms for Sunday Some Moderate High The severe weather is being driven by a large and strong storm system moving eastward and interacting with a slow-moving weather front, stretching from the southern Plains through the Ohio Valley. The front is expected to remain nearly stationary over the coming days, said Jennifer Tate, a meteorologist at the Weather Prediction Center. As warm, moist air flows northward into the front, conditions will be favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms. 'That flow coming in from the Gulf, that can bring moisture and instability that are needed to produce those storms,' she said. The setup also brings a risk of flash flooding, especially in areas already saturated from recent rainfall, where repeated rounds of storms are expected. 'With the storms being slow-moving, then there can be multiple rounds of storms affecting the same areas,' Ms. Tate said. 'It makes the soils pretty wet, and then you get another round and that can lead to more flooding.' Flash flood risks will linger. On Saturday the threat falls across southeastern Oklahoma, Arkansas, northern Mississippi and western Tennessee. On Sunday, it shifts into north Texas and south Oklahoma. A gradual improvement in conditions is expected early next week, although some storm activity may still continue in the region.
Epoch Times
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Epoch Times
More Severe Weather Pummels Central US as Thousands Recover From Deadly Tornadoes
LONDON, Ky.—More tornadoes plowed through the central United States on Monday, ripping apart buildings and knocking out power as people from Texas to Kentucky continued to clean up from days of severe weather that killed more than two dozen people and destroyed thousands of homes and buildings. At least four tornadoes were confirmed in Oklahoma and Nebraska on Monday evening, according to a preliminary report from the National Weather Service. Across Oklahoma, at least 10 homes were destroyed and multiple buildings were damaged, including a fire station that was wiped out, according to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management. A spokesperson for the agency said they have not received any reports of injuries or deaths. Around 115,000 customers were without power in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri, according to Parts of several highways were also closed due to flooding or storm damage. In northwest Arkansas, severe weather caused a Halsey concert to be canceled, and a municipal airport had to close temporarily Monday night so crews could remove debris from the field. And in Oklahoma, Tulsa Public Schools canceled all afterschool activities. Related Stories 5/18/2025 5/17/2025 Northern Texas saw softball-sized hail measuring 4 1/2 inches in diameter, according to Scott Kleebauer, a meteorologist with the service's Weather Prediction Center. Missouri and Kentucky Clean Up Earlier Monday in St. Louis, where officials estimated a Friday tornado damaged 5,000 buildings and may cost well over $1 billion, the mayor warned that federal assistance could take weeks. Kentucky has been hardest hit by the storms. A devastating tornado late Friday into early Saturday damaged hundreds of homes, tossed vehicles, and killed at least 19 people, most of them in southeastern Laurel County. In London, Kentucky, where the devastation was centered, the small airport became a beehive of cleanup work after it took a direct hit from a tornado. Small aircraft stored there had large dents in them, and even wings ripped open. Officials were using it as a base to get water, food, diapers, and other supplies out to the community. 'We have 1,001 things going on. But we're managing it. And we're going to get it all cleaned up,' said London Mayor Randall Weddle. Officials in Kansas and Texas were also evaluating damage from late Sunday storms. The risk of severe storms moves into Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee on Tuesday, the weather service said. Kentucky Hit Hard The Kentucky storms that killed 19 people were part of a weather system that caused seven deaths in Missouri and two in northern Virginia, authorities said. Lonnie Nantz hid in a hallway with his wife, two daughters, and a grandson as the one-story brick home they bought near London in 1977 was destroyed around them. They were trapped in rubble for about 20 minutes in the midnight darkness before they were rescued unharmed. 'I don't know why this happened. I've tried to live a good life all my life. I've still got the faith,' said the 77-year-old Nantz, who went to church as always on Sunday. London city worker Ashley Taylor was back on the job Monday loading doughnuts to take to a hospital and dispatch center even though there was a tarp on her roof. She was lucky—the houses across her street were destroyed late Friday night. She survived the storm with nine other people and three dogs in the crawl space of a neighbor's home. 'We prayed like never before—and just thankful for everything God did for us,' Taylor said. In surrounding Laurel County, first responders mourned one of their own. Fellow firefighters found the body of Laurel County Fire Major Leslie Leatherman on top of a woman he was shielding from the storm's fury as he answered calls during the worst of the storm. The woman was yelling for help, and they were in a field across from a destroyed subdivision. The injured woman turned out to be Leatherman's wife, and officials aren't sure if he knew who he was protecting in the darkness and chaos, the fire department said on social media. St. Louis Waits for FEMA St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer said five people died, 38 were injured, and more than 5,000 homes were affected by an EF3 tornado with winds up to 150 mph that slammed areas north and west of downtown Friday. Spencer has estimated that damages will exceed $1.6 billion. 'Eight miles of pure destruction, at times a mile wide,' Spencer said at a Monday news conference. 'We're talking about thousands of buildings, thousands of families are being displaced.' The city is awaiting a disaster declaration from the governor's office as a first step to getting federal assistance. U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, expressed frustration over the federal response to a deadly March storm. 'I'm not happy about the fact we're still waiting from all of that damage two months ago,' Hawley said. Acting Federal Emergency Management Agency Chief David Richardson said last week he plans to shift responsibility for disaster recovery to states this year as part of an agencywide transformation and that FEMA would coordinate federal assistance 'when deemed necessary.' Spencer said during a news conference Monday evening that emergency protocols put in place in 2021 were not followed, possibly preventing sirens from being activated to warn residents about the tornado. She said it was not clear whose responsibility it was to let the community know about the emergency, but that the fire department would do so moving forward. In Texas, several tornadoes touched down west of Fort Worth on Sunday, including an EF1 with peak winds of 105 mph that caused damage in and around Gordon, the weather service said Monday. By Bruce Schreiner
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Business Standard
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Business Standard
More severe storms hit central US as thousands recover from tornadoes
More tornadoes ploughed through the central US on Monday, ripping apart buildings and knocking out power as people from Texas to Kentucky continued to clean up from days of severe weather that killed more than two dozen people and destroyed thousands of homes and buildings. At least four tornadoes were confirmed in Oklahoma and Nebraska on Monday evening, according to a preliminary report from the National Weather Service. Across Oklahoma, at least 10 homes were destroyed and multiple buildings were damaged, including a fire station that was wiped out, according to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management. A spokesperson for the agency said they have not received any reports of injuries or deaths. Around 115,000 customers were without power in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri, according to Parts of several highways were also closed due to flooding or storm damage. In northwest Arkansas, severe weather caused a Halsey concert to be cancelled. And in Oklahoma, Tulsa Public Schools cancelled all after school activities. Northern Texas saw softball-sized hail measuring 11.4 centimetres in diameter, according to Scott Kleebauer, a meteorologist with the service's Weather Prediction Centre. Missouri and Kentucky clean up Earlier Monday in St Louis, where officials estimated a Friday tornado damaged 5,000 buildings and may cost well over USD1 billion, the mayor warned that federal assistance could take weeks. Kentucky has been hardest hit by the storms. A devastating tornado late Friday into early Saturday damaged hundreds of homes, tossed vehicles and killed at least 19 people, most of them in southeastern Laurel County. In London, Kentucky, where the devastation was centred, the small airport became a beehive of cleanup work after it took a direct hit from a tornado. Small aircraft stored there had large dents in them and even wings ripped open. Officials were using it as a base to get water, food, diapers and other supplies out to the community. "We have 1,001 things going on. But we're managing it. And we're going to get it all cleaned up, said London Mayor Randall Weddle. Officials in Kansas and Texas also were evaluating damage from late Sunday storms. The risk of severe storms moves into Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee on Tuesday, the weather service said. Kentucky hit hard The Kentucky storms that killed 19 people were part of a weather system that caused seven deaths in Missouri and two in northern Virginia, authorities said. Lonnie Nantz hid in a hallway with his wife, two daughters and a grandson as the one-story brick home they bought near London in 1977 was destroyed around them. They were trapped in rubble for about 20 minutes in the midnight darkness before they were rescued unharmed. I don't know why this happened. I've tried to live a good life all my life. I've still got the faith," said the 77-year-old Nantz, who went to church as always on Sunday. London city worker Ashley Taylor was back on the job Monday loading doughnuts to take to a hospital and dispatch centre even though there was a tarp on her roof. She was lucky the houses across her street were destroyed late Friday night. She survived the storm with nine other people and three dogs in the crawl space of a neighbour's home. We prayed like never before and just thankful for everything God did for us, Taylor said. In surrounding Laurel County, first responders mourned one of their own. Fellow firefighters found the body of Laurel County Fire Major Leslie Leatherman on top of a woman he was shielding from the storm's fury as he answered calls during the worst of the storm. The woman was yelling for help and they were in a field across from a destroyed subdivision. The injured woman turned out to be Leatherman's wife and officials aren't sure if he knew who he was protecting in the darkness and chaos, the fire department said on social media. St Louis waits for FEMA St Louis Mayor Cara Spencer said five people died, 38 were injured and more than 5,000 homes were affected by an EF3 tornado with winds up to 240 kilometer per hour that slammed areas north and west of downtown Friday. Spencer has estimated that damages will exceed USD1.6 billion. Eight miles of pure destruction, at times a mile wide," Spencer said at a Monday news conference. We're talking about thousands of buildings, thousands of families are being displaced. The city is awaiting a disaster declaration from the governor's office as a first step to getting federal assistance. US Sen Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, expressed frustration over the federal response to a deadly March storm. I'm not happy about the fact we're still waiting from all of that damage two months ago," Hawley said. Acting Federal Emergency Management Agency Chief David Richardson said last week he plans to shift responsibility for disaster recovery to states this year as part of an agencywide transformation and that FEMA would coordinate federal assistance when deemed necessary. Spencer said during a news conference Monday evening that emergency protocols put in place in 2021 were not followed, possibly preventing sirens being activated to warn residents about the tornado. She said it was not clear whose responsibility it was to let the community know about the emergency but that the fire department will do so moving forward. In Texas, several tornadoes touched down west of Fort Worth on Sunday, including an EF1 with peak winds of 169 kph that caused damage in and around Gordon, the weather service said Monday.
New Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Climate
- New Indian Express
Severe weather pummels central US as thousands continue to recover from deadly tornadoes
LONDON (KENTUCKY): More tornadoes plowed through the central US on Monday, ripping apart buildings and knocking out power as people from Texas to Kentucky continued to clean up from days of severe weather that killed more than two dozen people and destroyed thousands of homes and buildings. At least four tornadoes were confirmed in Oklahoma and Nebraska on Monday evening, according to a preliminary report from the National Weather Service. Across Oklahoma, at least 10 homes were destroyed and multiple buildings were damaged, including a fire station that was wiped out, according to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management. A spokesperson for the agency said they have not received any reports of injuries or deaths. Around 115,000 customers were without power in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri, according to Parts of several highways were also closed due to flooding or storm damage. In northwest Arkansas, severe weather caused a Halsey concert to be canceled and a municipal airport had to close temporarily Monday night so crews could remove debris from the field. And in Oklahoma, Tulsa Public Schools canceled all afterschool activities. Northern Texas saw softball-sized hail measuring 4 1/2 inches (11.4 centimeters) in diameter, according to Scott Kleebauer, a meteorologist with the service's Weather Prediction Center.
Hamilton Spectator
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Hamilton Spectator
More storms threaten the central US as thousands recover from deadly tornadoes
LONDON, Ky. (AP) — Thousands of people from Texas to Kentucky cleaned up Monday from severe weather that killed more than two dozen people and destroyed thousands of homes and buildings in four days as another round of tornadoes struck the central U.S. At least four tornadoes were confirmed in Oklahoma and Nebraska on Monday evening, according to a preliminary report from the National Weather Service. In Wilburton, in southeast Oklahoma, the city's Facebook page reported a tornado on the ground and heading its way. 'Take cover now!' the post warned residents. In northwest Arkansas, severe weather caused a Halsey concert to be canceled. And in Oklahoma, Tulsa Public Schools canceled all afterschool activities. Nearly 130,000 were without power in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas, according to . In northern Texas, softball-sized hail measuring 4-and-a-half inches in diameter was confirmed, according to Scott Kleebauer, meteorologist with the service's Weather Prediction Center. Earlier Monday in St. Louis, where officials estimated a Friday tornado damaged 5,000 buildings and may cost well over $1 billion, the mayor warned that federal assistance could take weeks. Kentucky has been hardest hit by the storms. A devastating tornado late Friday into early Saturday damaged hundreds of homes, tossed vehicles, left many homeless, and killed at least 19 people, most of them in southeastern Laurel County. In London, Kentucky, where the devastation was centered , the small airport became a beehive of cleanup work after it took a direct hit from a tornado. Small aircraft stored there had large dents in them and even wings ripped open. Officials were using it as a base to get water, food, diapers and other supplies out to the community. 'We have 1,001 things going on. But we're managing it. And we're going to get it all cleaned up,' said London Mayor Randall Weddle. Officials in Kansas and Texas also were evaluating damage from late Sunday storms. The risk of severe storms moves into Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee on Tuesday, the weather service said. Kentucky cleans up The Kentucky storms that killed 19 people were part of a weather system that caused seven deaths in Missouri and two in northern Virginia, authorities said. Lonnie Nantz hid in a hallway with his wife, two daughters and a grandson as the one-story brick home they bought near London in 1977 was destroyed around them. They were trapped in rubble for about 20 minutes in the midnight darkness before they were rescued unharmed. 'I don't know why this happened. I've tried to live a good life all my life. I've still got the faith,' said the 77-year-old Nantz, who went to church as always on Sunday. London city worker Ashley Taylor was back on the job Monday loading doughnuts to take to a hospital and dispatch center even though there was a tarp on her roof. She was lucky — the houses across her street were destroyed late Friday night. She survived the storm with nine other people and three dogs in the crawl space of a neighbor's home. 'We prayed like never before — and just thankful for everything God did for us,' Taylor said. In surrounding Laurel County, first responders mourned one of their own. Fellow firefighters found the body of Laurel County Fire Major Leslie Leatherman on top of a woman he was shielding from the storm's fury as he answered calls during the worst of the storm. The woman was yelling for help and they were in a field across from a destroyed subdivision. The injured woman turned out to be Leatherman's wife and officials aren't sure if he knew who he was protecting in the darkness and chaos, the fire department said on social media . A Kansas City is spared 18 years after a tornado nearly wiped out the community Forecasters on Sunday night issued a tornado emergency for Greensburg, Kansas, where 12 people were killed and 90% of the town was destroyed in May 2007 by a 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometer) wide tornado with winds of 205 mph (330 kph). The city was spared this time. Power was out but residents were safe after the 'storm scare,' Greensburg officials posted on social media. Tornadoes in Kansas carved a 20-mile (32-kilometer) path through Stafford and Reno counties. While damage was extensive, no injuries or deaths were reported. Hard-hit St. Louis waits for FEMA St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer said five people died, 38 were injured and more than 5,000 homes were affected by an EF3 tornado with winds up to 150 mph (240 kph) that slammed areas north and west of downtown Friday. Spencer has estimated that damages will exceed $1.6 billion. 'Eight miles of pure destruction, at times a mile wide,' Spencer said at a Monday news conference. 'We're talking about thousands of buildings, thousands of families are being displaced.' The city is awaiting a disaster declaration from the governor's office as a first step to getting federal assistance. U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, expressed frustration over the federal response to a deadly March storm . 'I'm not happy about the fact we're still waiting from all of that damage two months ago,' Hawley said. Acting Federal Emergency Management Agency Chief David Richardson said last week he plans to shift responsibility for disaster recovery to states this year as part of an agencywide transformation and that FEMA would coordinate federal assistance 'when deemed necessary.' Spencer said during a news conference Monday evening that emergency protocols put in place in 2021 were not followed, possibly preventing sirens being activated to warn residents about the tornado. She said it was not clear whose responsibility it was to let the community know about the emergency but that the fire department will do so moving forward. In Texas, several tornadoes touched down west of Fort Worth on Sunday, including an EF1 with peak winds of 105 mph (169 kph) that caused damage in and around Gordon, the weather service said Monday. ___ This story has been updated to correct that Wilburton is in Oklahoma, not Texas. ___ See more photos from the severe storms in the South and Midwest here. ___ Associated Press writers Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina; Heather Hollingsworth in Mission, Kansas; Sarah Brumfield in Cockeysville, Maryland; Hallie Golden in Seattle and Jamie Stengle in Dallas contributed to this report.
