Flash Flood Emergency! Millions Under Threat as Storms Sweep US
Severe weather is impacting a large swath of the United States, with flash flood warnings in effect for millions. A powerful storm system is unleashing heavy rain, large hail, damaging winds, and the potential for tornadoes across several states, including Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas.
Central US Braces for Impact
The National Weather Service (NWS) warns that this "active and unsettled" weather pattern will intensify in the coming days, gradually moving eastward. On September 23rd, storms stretched from the Great Lakes region southwest into the Middle Mississippi Valley and the central and southern Plains. Wind gusts are expected to reach 60 to 70 mph in some areas.
More than 5.3 million people are currently under flood watches covering parts of Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas. AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski cautions that while the dry landscape will absorb some of the rainfall, localized areas could experience rapid runoff leading to dangerous flash flood conditions.
Affected Areas and Potential Hazards
Major cities in the path of the most severe storm impacts include Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Little Rock, Arkansas. A separate area of storm risk with damaging wind gusts covers portions of the Mid-Atlantic, including Philadelphia and Baltimore, according to the Storm Prediction Center.
In Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, a flash flood warning was issued Tuesday night after 1.5 to 2.5 inches of rain fell within several hours. Forecasters warned of likely flash flooding near small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, and other poorly drained locations. Emergency responders have already been deployed to assist motorists stranded in high water.
Stormy Weather Moving Eastward
The severe weather is expected to continue its eastward trajectory. On September 24th, excessive rainfall and thunderstorm chances extend from the Lower Great Lakes southwest through the Ohio, Tennessee, and Mississippi Valley, to the western Gulf Coast and Texas. Cities including Houston and San Antonio, Texas; Columbus, Ohio; and Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee could be impacted. By September 25th, isolated severe thunderstorms are possible from southeastern Pennsylvania.
- Stay informed about local weather alerts.
- Avoid driving through flooded areas.
- Be prepared for power outages.
- Have an emergency plan in place.