A powerful storm system is wreaking havoc across parts of the Mississippi Valley and Midwest, unleashing tornadoes, hail, and damaging wind gusts on Tuesday. Tornado reports have been confirmed in at least eight counties spanning Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri, with additional tornadoes reported overnight in the Plains region.
One particularly destructive tornado carved a nearly 7-mile path through Dallas County, Iowa, causing damage to agricultural buildings and minor destruction to residences and land, as reported by the local emergency management office.
The storm is expected to intensify and expand throughout Tuesday evening, putting millions at risk of severe weather from Minnesota and Wisconsin to Arkansas and Tennessee. The most significant hail and tornado threat is concentrated in Iowa, northern Missouri, and west-central Illinois, with an 'enhanced' risk level of 3 out of 5, according to the Storm Prediction Center.
Residents in this area, including cities like Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, are warned of the potential for baseball-sized hailstones and strong tornadoes of EF2 strength or greater, particularly during the afternoon and evening hours. A larger portion of the Midwest faces a slight risk level of 2 out of 5 for severe thunderstorms on Tuesday.
In addition to the severe weather threats, heavy rainfall may trigger flash flooding in parts of the northern Plains and Mississippi Valley, with rainfall totals reaching up to 3 inches and rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour in some areas. Cities like Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Milwaukee are already experiencing minor flooding, with more rain expected to exacerbate the situation.
The storm system is forecasted to move eastward on Wednesday, bringing another round of severe thunderstorms from the Great Lakes to the Tennessee Valley and heavy rain to the Northeast. Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky are among the states at risk for hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, gusty winds accompanying the storms are heightening the fire risk across the Southwest until Wednesday morning. Red flag warnings are in effect in New Mexico, Texas, parts of Colorado, and northeast Montana, cautioning against activities that could spark fires due to the dry and windy conditions.
Preventative measures advised by the National Weather Service include properly discarding cigarettes, avoiding open flames or sparks, and complying with burn bans to mitigate the risk of wildfires.
