Severe Storms Cause Damage and Danger Across Central U.S.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Severe storms swept through parts of the Central U.S. on Sunday, dropping hail larger than grapefruits in Texas and prompting warnings across several states.

In Texas, giant hailstones measuring 5.5 inches and 6 inches were reported in Afton, where Colt Forney with Atmospheric Chaos compared the hail to a baseball and a baseball hat. This stormy weather disrupted weekend plans from the Plains to the Southeast.

Saturday’s system had already left its mark, causing damage in different areas and leading to water rescues. As of Sunday, extensive meteorological alerts were issued in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri, with approximately 59 million people at risk of severe weather.

NOAA‘s Storm Prediction Center categorized risks, placing over 5.6 million people in a Level 3 out of 5 threat. The affected regions included parts of Oklahoma and Texas, as well as cities in the Mississippi Valley.

Flash Flood Warnings were also issued as rainfall continued, particularly in Oklahoma and Arkansas, prompting warnings of hazardous conditions. Meanwhile, over 16 million people faced a Level 2 out of 5 threat, especially in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

As Memorial Day approaches, forecasts indicate that severe weather may return across the central and southern Plains, while northern areas prepare for cooler, sunnier conditions.

Health officials nationwide continue to warn about the importance of precautions regarding severe weather, especially as temperatures rise in the West.