Midwest Storm Watch: Nebraska and Iowa Reel from Tornadoes
TL/DR –
The states of Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Iowa, Nebraska, and Texas have all been affected by a series of destructive tornadoes. In Omaha, Nebraska, the area of Elkhorn was one of the hardest-hit communities, with a powerful tornado leveling homes, while in Iowa, several storm-related injuries were reported and approximately 120 homes and businesses were damaged. Overall, approximately 9 million people were under tornado watches in the areas affected, with the severe weather threat estimated to continue through Sunday, and potential for flash flooding due to heavy rainfall in parts of the Lower Mississippi Valley.
Millions under Tornado Watch in Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma
Following destructive tornadoes that swept through Nebraska and Iowa, millions in Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma were under tornado watches on Saturday night.
The tornado watch included the Kansas City metropolitan area and affected 2.7 million people in southeastern Kansas and western and central Missouri, according to the National Weather Service. Another tornado watch, valid until 3 a.m. CT, covered much of Oklahoma and parts of North Texas. Eastern Iowa, parts of northeast Missouri, and areas of southwest Wisconsin and northwest Illinois were also under tornado watch until midnight CT.
Around nine million people were under tornado watches on Saturday night and early Sunday, stretching over 800 miles from Texas to southern Wisconsin.
The Latest Updates
The National Weather Service reported a tornado touchdown east of Tinker Air Force Base in Norman, Oklahoma, at 9:49 p.m. CT. There were 11 tornado reports in Kansas and two in Missouri by 8 p.m. CT. The Oklahoma’s emergency operations center was activated on Saturday, as per a Facebook post from Gov. Kevin Stitt.
Kansas, Oklahoma and north Texas faced multiple tornado warnings on Saturday afternoon, while a new tornado watch was issued across eastern Iowa, northwest Illinois, northeast Missouri, and southwest Wisconsin.
The severe weather threat is anticipated to continue through Sunday, with possible strong tornadoes from Nebraska to Texas, including major cities like Dallas, Austin, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Kansas City, and Wichita. Areas east of Oklahoma City were warned of a rare “high risk for excessive rain and flash flooding” event by the national Weather Prediction Center.
In Nebraska, a powerful tornado leveled homes in the area of Elkhorn in Omaha, among the hardest-hit communities after severe storms affected parts of the Plains and South early Friday afternoon. Governor Jim Pillen described the lack of fatalities as miraculous, given the extraordinary damage caused.
Douglas County experienced tornadoes rated EF-3 and EF-2, as per Chris Franks with the National Weather Service. Tornadoes also caused damage in Texas and Iowa, with nearly 80 tornado reports across at least five states on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Sunday family in Elkhorn in Omaha described their harrowing experience as a tornado caused severe damage to their home. In the town of Blair just north of Omaha, John Wells, a cleanup volunteer, witnessed sprawling storm damage.
Further damaging storms are also expected from Texas to Wisconsin on Sunday, with areas from northeastern Texas to southern Iowa and western Illinois being most at risk for damaging storms potentially bringing strong wind gusts and large hail. An isolated tornado or two is also a possibility.
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