Midwest Faces Tornado Outbreak and Potential Flooding This Week

CHICAGO, Ill. — A severe weather outbreak is set to impact parts of the Midwest and South, with a high risk of tornadoes and flooding expected from Wednesday night through the weekend. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a level 4 out of 5 severe weather risk for regions including the Mississippi and Ohio valleys, where storms are anticipated to develop and intensify.

Areas under threat include major cities such as Chicago, St. Louis, Indianapolis, and Little Rock, potentially affecting over 75 million Americans. The storms will bring damaging winds, large hail, and the possibility of long-lived tornadoes, especially from Arkansas to Indiana. This outbreak follows a deadly storm in late March that resulted in seven fatalities.

“A multi-day severe weather outbreak is possible,” said Meteorologist Mike Smith of NOAA. “The conditions are set for strong storms capable of producing significant tornadoes and torrential rainfall.”

The severe weather threat escalates on Wednesday with strong thunderstorms forecast to develop in the Plains, capable of creating isolated tornadoes and damaging wind gusts. As conditions progress, clusters of storms are expected to sweep across the Midwest, with new storms possibly forming on Wednesday night.

The National Weather Service predicts that areas could experience between 2 to 6 inches of rain throughout the event, particularly dangerous for regions near the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. This rainfall raises concerns for flash flooding, especially as saturated ground conditions are expected to worsen.

“If we receive rainfall totals anywhere near these predictions, history-making flooding is likely,” warned a representative from the National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky. “We’re expecting this storm system to deliver what could be a month’s worth of rain in just a few days.”

As the system progresses, regions from Texas to the Great Lakes will remain under high alert. On Thursday and Friday, the severe thunderstorm threat continues, posing risks of damaging winds and further flash flooding, especially in areas already vulnerable from saturation.

Residents are advised to stay vigilant and have emergency plans in place. Airlines are reacting proactively, with several carriers waiving change fees for flights impacted by the impending weather. The severe weather system and potential flooding threat are projected to persist into the weekend, particularly in the lower Mississippi and Tennessee valleys.