A devastating spring storm that has swept across parts of the U.S. from Texas to Ohio for two consecutive days has left at least seven people dead and triggered numerous tornadoes and torrential downpours, intensifying the threat of flash floods.
The powerful weather system, which has already inundated large areas with heavy rainfall, is expected to stall over the central United States, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). This lingering system could generate more severe storms, including tornadoes, particularly in areas already saturated by rain.
“We’re closely monitoring the potential for intense tornadoes across Northeast Texas through Western Arkansas,” warned Evan Bentley, a meteorologist with the NWS Storm Prediction Center.
The storm's severity has been upgraded to a Level 4 out of 5 on the NWS scale for measuring dangerous weather—an uncommon designation applied to just a dozen storms annually, Bentley added.
Since Wednesday, the extreme weather has led to seven confirmed deaths, media outlets report. Among the victims were a father and his teenage daughter who lost their lives when a tornado struck their home in Tennessee. In total, five fatalities occurred in Tennessee, with one reported in Indiana and another in Missouri. Additionally, at least 13 people were injured across the affected states.
Preliminary reports from the Storm Prediction Center indicate approximately 34 tornadoes touched down on Wednesday, including one in Wilmington, Ohio, about 50 miles northeast of Cincinnati. Tornadoes were also confirmed in six states: Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.
As climate change continues to increase the frequency of intense rainfall, regions such as the upper Midwest and the Ohio River Valley are facing heightened flood risks, according to Climate Central. A notable example occurred in July 2023, when unprecedented flash flooding dumped up to a foot of rain across parts of Kentucky and Illinois in less than half a day.
Thursday’s forecast showed a 40% or greater chance that rainfall would surpass flash-flood thresholds from western Arkansas through southwestern Ohio. Flash flood warnings remained in effect from northern Mississippi to northeastern Kentucky, spanning the Ohio River Valley.
“These floods could escalate into catastrophic, life-threatening events,” the NWS Weather Prediction Center stated on social media.
The NWS operates under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which recently began undergoing significant staffing cuts. Under the direction of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency—spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk as part of a broader initiative to reduce federal employment—NOAA is expected to reduce its workforce by around 20%, raising concerns among scientists and researchers about the agency’s future capacity.
Despite the reductions, the NWS has maintained its forecast accuracy and timely updates amid this week’s violent weather outbreak.