Dangerous storms packing powerful winds hammer south-central US
By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
March 14, 2019, 2:41:55 AM EDT
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Storms with damaging winds, large hail, flash flooding and a few tornadoes are taking aim at the southern Plains this week.
High winds in the wake of the severe thunderstorm threat may affect just about every community across the region.
A storm emerging from the Rockies is undergoing rapid strengthening and will force a wedge of colder air into a swath of building warmth and moisture over the Mississippi Valley and lower Plains through midweek.
Severe thunderstorms poised to pounce on the southern Plains
Severe thunderstorms first developed across eastern New Mexico on Tuesday afternoon and are expected to advance eastward into Wednesday night and beyond.
Through Tuesday night, strong storms across eastern New Mexico, western Texas and southern Kansas produced tornadoes, damaging wind gusts, hail and heavy rainfall.
Tens of thousands were without power for a time, and winds toppled power lines, 18-wheelers and even mobile homes. Hail as large as baseballs reportedly hammered vehicles across Ward County, Texas.
Homes in Cleburne, Texas, were severely damaged with an injury reported.
One female occupant was injured in this small modular home off Bramblett Rd and Hwy 4 southwest of Cleburne. She was transported by AMR to the hospital. No other info on this call. @NWSFortWorth pic.twitter.com/2Z5hAKt8pP
— Johnson County EM (@jocotx_em) March 13, 2019
As the storms roared through the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area before daybreak Wednesday, hurricane-force winds knocked down trees and caused property damage in some communities.
Into Wednesday evening, the threat of severe thunderstorms will shift across the lower part of the Mississippi Valley.
In this area, there will exist the potential for a few tornadoes, however damaging wind gusts and flash flooding will be the main threats.
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Winds to howl after storms blow through
Soon after the severe thunderstorm threat ends, high winds are likely over an approximate 1 million square mile swath of the Central states.
There will be a heightened risk for power outages, property damage and blowing dust and other debris.
Other effects from the storm
The same storm has begun to produce a major blizzard over the northern High Plains and flooding over the central Plains.
The storm will also help to pump warmth into the East to end this week.
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