Storm-stricken central US braces for more volatile weather ahead
Tornadoes and flooding will be among the hazards that threaten more than a dozen states as a new outbreak of severe weather looms early in the week.
A tornado struck near Allen, Oklahoma, on May 18, damaging everything along its way. Erich Oechsle, a local resident, saw the twister across the way as he and his family sought shelter.
Severe thunderstorms will continue to batter the central United States through Tuesday, with tornadoes, damaging hail and flash flooding all posing a risk to life and property, according to AccuWeather experts.
Since Thursday, approximately 1,700 reports of severe wind gusts (58 mph or greater), hail and tornadoes have been compiled by the Storm Prediction Center from the southern Plains to the Upper Midwest and New England. Around eight dozen tornadoes have been confirmed as of early Monday morning.
After another wave of severe thunderstorms developed on Sunday, the storm driving this turbulent weather pattern has started to shift eastward early this week. Travelers across the region should remain alert for hazards such as debris on roadways, downed power lines, damaging hail and flooded areas over the coming days.
Severe weather dangers spread eastward into midweek, flood risk to increase
On Tuesday, the severe weather threat will move eastward into the lower Ohio Valley and Tennessee Valley, putting regions that were impacted by powerful storms as recently as last Friday once again at risk.
"Damaging wind gusts, hail and tornadoes will be possible once again which can exacerbate the damage that has occurred in some areas and delay cleanup efforts in others," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Mike Youman said.
Trees weakened by saturated soil or compromised by recent strong wind gusts may face an increased risk of damage during the upcoming storms, experts warn.
"While thunderstorms will be rather progressive in nature through Tuesday, similar areas will be impacted on back-to-back days. As a result, these heavy downpours occurring on already saturated grounds can lead to flooding issues," Youman said.
The risk of flooding will include most of but also expand outside of the severe weather risk zones through Tuesday night.
"The likelihood of flash urban flooding can be followed by the flooding of small streams and significant rises on some of the secondary rivers in the region," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said.
Heavy thunderstorms will reach western Maryland on Tuesday night, as crews continue to clean up in the wake of extensive flooding last week, which prompted a state of emergency.
A few thunderstorms could briefly intensify to severe levels along the Southeast coast on Wednesday. Meanwhile, as the storm slows dramatically upon reaching the East Coast, the Northeast can expect several days of wet, dreary and cooler weather conditions for the second half of the week.
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