"Tornado Watch Issued for Four US States: National Weather Service Urges Preparedness"

Severe Storm Unleashes Tornadoes, Floods Across Central U.S.

A powerful storm system is battering the central U.S., triggering tornado watches and flash flood warnings across multiple states. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued tornado alerts for Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, and Missouri early Wednesday, urging residents to seek shelter immediately. Kansas City, Missouri, faced a dire tornado warning until 7:30 a.m. CT, with the NWS advising: “TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or interior room. Avoid windows.”

Map showing states under tornado watches and flood warnings (Source: NWS).

Multi-Day “Catastrophic” Threat
The NWS warned of a “multi-day catastrophic and potentially historic event,” with the storm advancing eastward. Severe thunderstorms, hail, and damaging winds are expected from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast. South-central states face a “High Risk” (Level 5/5) of extreme weather, including strong tornadoes and 70+ mph winds.

Flooding Risks Intensify
Compounding the danger, torrential rains from an atmospheric river—a stream of tropical moisture from the Caribbean—threaten “life-threatening” flooding. Over 46 million people in nine states (Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Illinois, and others) are under flood watches through Sunday. Areas near Paducah, KY; Little Rock, AR; and Memphis, TN, could see over a foot of rain, triggering historic flash floods.

Flash floods inundate roads in Arkansas (Stock image).

Atmospheric River’s Role
AccuWeather meteorologist William Clark linked the deluge to an atmospheric river, emphasizing its potential for “extreme rainfall.” By Thursday, the storm’s reach will stretch from Texas to the mid-Atlantic, with severe weather persisting through Saturday in the Mississippi Valley.

Key Safety Measures

• Tornadoes: Seek shelter in windowless interior rooms or basements.
• Floods: Avoid flooded roads; 6 inches of water can sweep away vehicles.

Tornado touching down in Kansas (Stock image).

The NWS urges residents to monitor updates and prepare for prolonged disruptions. Stay tuned to local alerts as this “historic” storm evolves.

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