Extreme Weather

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Severe storms

A multifaceted storm is churning through much of the US, threatening millions of people with fierce winds, blizzard conditions and fires. Forecasts show the storm is set to reach the East Coast today and impact areas from Florida to New York. The strongest storms are expected from Charleston, South Carolina to southern Virginia, which could see damaging winds and tornadoes. Dozens of fires have also erupted across Texas amid a critical fire risk across a large portion of the state, while blizzard warnings remain in effect across parts of the Midwest. At least two people are dead in Mississippi’s Madison County after storms swept across the state on Tuesday.

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Powerful US storms kill 2 and bring threats from critical fire weather to blizzard conditions

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Powerful storms killed two people in Mississippi, tore the roofs off an apartment building and a nursing home in a small town in Oklahoma and threatened more communities across the nation Tuesday with wide-ranging weather.

https://apnews.com/article/tornadoes-storms-mardi-gras-rescheduled-579b9ec79b2c5f08e977e018a73aab81?

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Severe weather

A powerful March storm has been lashing the West Coast with heavy rainfall, gusty winds and snowfall in the mountains –– posing a particular threat to communities scorched by the deadly Los Angeles wildfires. The storm will continue its trek across the US today, bringing rain and mountain snowfall to much of the Rockies, fire weather to the Central and Southern Plains and eventually severe weather to parts of the Southeast. Evacuation warnings were issued for parts of Los Angeles County on Wednesday, with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass warning that burn areas from the January fires are at greater risk of debris flows. More than 20 million people across Southern California are under flood watches until this afternoon.

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Dangerous weekend tornado outbreak puts 100 million at risk

A powerful storm system is set to bring multiple rounds of dangerous severe thunderstorms, with numerous strong tornadoes possible, from the Midwest to the Southeast beginning Friday.

https://www.axios.com/2025/03/14/severe-storms-tornado-outbreak-midwest-southeast?

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At least 39 dead after tornadoes, wildfires and dust storms wreak havoc across multiple US states

TYLERTOWN, Miss. (AP) — Unusually vicious and damaging weather across multiple U.S. states spawned violent tornadoes, blinding dust storms and fast-moving wildfires over the weekend, leaving at least 39 people dead.

https://apnews.com/article/us-storm-weather-tornadoes-wildfires-deaths-ce794c4070279fdca3e6ecdd67f9225b?

Storms

A powerful storm system that tore across the US over the weekend has devastated communities across multiple states with violent tornadoes, wildfires and dust storms spun off by the massive system. At least 39 people died in storm-related incidents in seven states, according to officials. Missouri has the highest death toll on record with 12 fatalities, followed by Kansas with eight. Most of Alabama was severely impacted, and at least three died in the state. The storm unleashed a deadly wave of tornadoes across the central and Southern US since Friday. There have been around 80 tornado reports, with dozens confirmed. The National Weather Service said two EF4 tornadoes tore through Arkansas on Friday, marking the first time in over 25 years that the state has experienced multiple EF4 tornadoes in a single day.

Severe weather moves east after tornadoes, winds and wildfires killed at least 39 people A dynamic weekend storm spawned tornadoes, dust storms and wildfires that killed at least 39 people and destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses. The weakening but still volatile weather system was moving Monday into the U.S. Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, bringing thunderstorms, hail, damaging winds and the potential for more tornadoes. Read more.

What to know: Wind-driven wildfires caused extensive damage in Texas and Oklahoma and officials warned that parts of both states would again face an increased risk of fire danger in the coming week. More than 130 fires were reported across Oklahoma and nearly 400 homes were damaged or destroyed, Gov. Kevin Stitt said.   Dust storms spurred by high winds claimed almost a dozen lives on Friday. Eight people died in a Kansas highway pileup involving at least 50 vehicles, according to the state highway patrol. Authorities said three people also were killed in car crashes during a dust storm in Amarillo, in the Texas Panhandle.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Oklahomans survey devastation after hundreds of homes are destroyed and damaged by wildfires   AP PHOTOS: Wildfires and dust storms wreak havoc across multiple US states   WATCH: Georgia resident speaks of ‘heartbreaking’ impact of destructive storm

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Extreme weather

Just days after a cross-country storm left a vast trail of destruction and dozens dead in seven states, another potent storm is forecast to affect millions today. CNN meteorologist Mary Gilbert said this latest event may spawn severe thunderstorms with powerful winds from Texas to Minnesota. Gusty winds may increase the risk of wildfires in New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, where the dry vegetation is primed to ignite. Up north, the Plains could also see the return of heavy snow and blizzard conditions.

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Extreme weather

Violent spring weather hit the central US on Sunday, causing at least two deaths. In addition to intense thunderstorms and golf ball-sized hail, the volatile weather system spawned tornadoes in Arkansas, Michigan and Missouri. Nearly half a million homes and businesses also lost power. Thunderstorms are expected to sweep eastward and by tonight, nearly 100 million people on the East Coast will be dealing with a severe weather threat. Damaging wind gusts are forecast in the Northeast. The mid-Atlantic to the Gulf Coast, meanwhile, may see strong winds, hail and possible tornadoes.

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Storms unleash deadly tornadoes in Midwest, South amid "catastrophic" flooding threat

Severe storms are sweeping the U.S. South and Midwest, spawning damaging tornadoes and causing flooding in multiple states into Thursday, when at least four people were reported dead.

https://www.axios.com/2025/04/02/midwest-south-severe-weather-floods-tornadoes?

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Extreme weather

About 5 million people were under tornado watches early this morning as a wide-reaching storm system moved across the central US. In addition to twisters, days of nearly nonstop rain are expected that could trigger once-in-a-lifetime flooding in the corridor where Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee meet. The line of strong-to-severe thunderstorms has already produced at least 19 reports of tornadoes, including one twister that injured four people and damaged multiple structures in Kentucky, and another that caused a warehouse to partially collapse in Indiana. Wind gusts in the 80 to 100 mph range were reported, as was hail the size of baseballs and tennis balls.

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South and Midwest face potentially catastrophic rains and floods while reeling from tornadoes Parts of the Midwest and South faced the possibility of torrential rains and life-threatening flash floods Friday, while many communities were still reeling from tornadoes that destroyed whole neighborhoods and killed at least seven people. Read more.

What to know: Those killed in the initial wave of storms that spawned powerful tornadoes on Wednesday and early Thursday were in Tennessee, Missouri and Indiana. Forecasters warned of catastrophic weather on the way, with round after round of heavy rains expected in the central U.S. through Saturday. Satellite imagery showed thunderstorms lined up like freight trains to take the same tracks over communities in Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky, according to the national Weather Prediction Center in Maryland.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Tennessee safety agency says workers killed in Hurricane Helene flooding were given time to evacuate   What you do before and during a tornado could mean the difference between life and death   This is what forecasters mean when they talk about a 100-year flood

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At least 16 dead in flooding and tornadoes as storms slash from Texas to Ohio

DYERSBURG, Tennessee. (AP) — Another round of torrential rain and flash flooding came Saturday for parts of the South and Midwest already heavily waterlogged by days of severe storms that also spawned deadly tornadoes. Forecasters warned that rivers in some places would continue to rise for days.

https://apnews.com/article/south-midwest-flash-flooding-rain-tornadoes-db92213177e3b36016e0b56044e6570d?

Flooding

Violent storms that swept through the central US have claimed the lives of at least 19 people in seven states since Wednesday. In addition to strong winds, hail and tornadoes, the severe weather system dropped potentially record rainfall in areas unaccustomed to flooding. Rising river levels have prompted Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear to declare a state of emergency. Numerous water rescues took place in the Colesburg area some 30 miles south of Louisville as the Rolling Fork River rose rapidly on Sunday. Drone footage from nearby towns showed streets, fields, homes and businesses under vast quantities of water. Evacuations and warnings have also been issued near the Kentucky River, which is expected to crest at a historic high later today. 

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Swollen rivers are flooding towns in the US South after a prolonged deluge of rain

Days of unrelenting heavy rain and storms filled up rivers to near record levels across Kentucky on Monday, submerging neighborhoods and threatening a famed bourbon distillery in the state capital of Frankfort. Read More.

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Kentucky watches for surging rivers to recede so widespread cleanup can begin

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — After days of deluges overfilled rivers to near-record levels across Kentucky, residents were anxious Tuesday to return to their flooded homes and assess what’s salvageable, even as stubbornly high waters kept some of them waiting even longer.

https://apnews.com/article/kentucky-river-flooding-freeze-2c18eb88c921a28234fbfb8cbe5e508e?

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Deadly storms

Severe weather left at least four people dead in Pennsylvania and at least two people dead in Oklahoma this week. The violent storms tore through more than a dozen states, bringing hurricane-strength wind gusts, hail and tornadoes. A derecho — a long-track storm with destructive winds — left a trail of damage across a path of more than 500 miles from eastern Indiana through much of Pennsylvania. Wind gusts as high as 90 mph toppled trees and ripped roofs off several buildings. In Oklahoma, first responders carried out dozens of swift-water rescues as floodwater levels rose, and portions of nearly a dozen state highways were closed. More than 900 flights within, into or out of the US were canceled due to the weather. At this time, more than 250,000 people in five states are also without power.

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?️ Tornadoes, storms strike U.S.

Members from a local church pray with Tony and Joe McFall, who lost their father and stepmother during the tornado in London, Ky., yesterday. Photo: Michael Swensen/Getty Images At least 27 people have been killed by storm systems that swept across part of the U.S. Midwest and South. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced yesterday that 18 of the deaths occurred in his state and 10 others were hospitalized in critical condition. "We need the whole world right now to be really good neighbors to this region," he said. Aerial view of the damage in London, Ky. Photo: City of London, Ky. via AP About 1,200 tornadoes strike the U.S. annually, and they have been reported in all 50 states over the years, AP reports. Researchers found in 2018 that deadly tornadoes were happening less frequently in the traditional "Tornado Alley" of Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas and more frequently in parts of the more densely populated and tree-filled mid-South area. The latest Kentucky storms were part of a weather system Friday that killed seven in Missouri and two in northern Virginia, authorities said. The system also spawned tornadoes in Wisconsin, brought a punishing heat wave to Texas, and temporarily enveloped parts of Illinois — including Chicago — in a pall of dust on an otherwise sunny day.

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Severe weather leaves at least 27 dead, including 18 in Kentucky

LONDON, Ky. (AP) — At least 27 people have been killed by storms systems that swept across part of the U.S. Midwest and South, with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announcing Saturday that 18 of the deaths came in his state and 10 others were hospitalized in critical condition.

https://apnews.com/article/tornado-weather-thunderstorms-great-lakes-22395202a65b0c37cc06c541ea772172?

Severe weather

A violent storm system cut a path of destruction through several states and left dozens dead over the weekend. At least 18 fatalities were reported in Kentucky after a “large, extremely dangerous” tornado swept east. “I’ve now been governor for at least 14 federally declared disasters, 13 of them weather. And this is one of the worst,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said at a news conference. “It’s one of the worst in terms of the loss of human life. It’s one of the worst in terms of damage.” Significant destruction was reported in Grinnell, Kansas, where homes were flattened, roads blocked and vehicles overturned. Houses and buildings in three counties were also damaged or lost in storms that produced at least two tornadoes in Colorado. Residents of St. Louis experienced an EF3 tornado, which had winds up to 152 mph. At times stretching a mile wide, the twister traveled at least 8 miles, claimed seven lives and damaged about 5,000 buildings.

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Severe weather

The death toll from the latest round of violent weather has climbed to 28 since Friday: 19 in Kentucky, seven in Missouri and two in Virginia. In addition to strong winds, heavy rain and large hail, more than 100 tornadoes were reported in Arkansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas, leaving behind damaged homes and businesses as well as downed trees and power lines. According to the National Weather Service, severe weather and flash flooding are possible in the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic regions today. Flood watches have also been issued for areas of Maryland and Pennsylvania due to heavy to excessive rainfall.

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A deep freeze

A new study found the collapse of a critical system of Atlantic Ocean currents could bring extreme weather, with winter temperatures plunging to around minus 55 degrees Fahrenheit in some cities. This interactive map helps visualize the impacts across the globe.

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Extreme weather

Torrential rains swept through San Antonio, Texas, on Thursday, triggering flash floods that swept away 15 vehicles and claimed the lives of at least five people. The rains were so sudden and heavy that the San Antonio River rose from about 3 feet to over 25 feet in just two hours. Ten people had to be rescued from trees and bushes about one mile from where they entered the water, a San Antonio Fire Department official said. Authorities are continuing to search for two people who are still missing.    At least 5 dead and 2 missing in San Antonio after heavy rains flood parts of Texas SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Heavy rains in San Antonio rapidly flooded roads, swept away submerged cars and sent some people scrambling up trees to escape fast-rising waters Thursday while firefighters made dozens of rescues across the nation’s seventh-largest city. At least five people died and two were still missing, authorities said. https://apnews.com/article/severe-texas-san-antonio-deaths-rain-ee0e33396168265aaa328e28185fd976?

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The National Weather Service issues Alaska’s first ever heat advisory

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — For the first time ever, parts of Alaska will be under a heat advisory — but you can put an asterisk at the end of that term.

https://apnews.com/article/alaska-first-ever-heat-advisory-df913edec183efd7b1b800fab33ff1ad?

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Death and destruction overtake Texas Hill Country in the wake of severe flash flooding

Texas Hill Country was beset by death and disaster Friday after multiple fatalities were reported from months worth of heavy rain that fell in a matter of hours, leaving search teams to conduct boat rescues as fast-moving water threatened riverfront communities and children’s summer camps. Read More.   Texas floods leave at least 51 dead, 27 girls missing as rescuers search devastated landscape KERRVILLE, Texas (AP) — Rescuers scoured a devastated central Texas landscape of mangled trees, overturned cars and muck-filled debris Saturday in an increasingly bleak mission to locate survivors, including 27 girls who have not been seen since their camp was slammed with a wall of water in a historic flash flood. https://apnews.com/article/texas-floods-missing-hill-country-5044c169b59921b2b4f65a2568c354c0?

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Texas death toll crosses 50

A Sheriff's deputy pauses while combing through the banks of the Guadalupe River near Camp Mystic yesterday. Photo: Julio Cortez/AP The death toll from Friday's Texas flash floods has risen to at least 51 — including 15 children — as rescuers continue to search a devastated central Texas landscape of mangled trees, overturned cars and muck-filled debris. Authorities say 27 girls from Camp Mystic, a private all-girls camp that sat on the banks of the surging Guadalupe River, remain missing. They have not said how many people are missing beyond the campers, AP reports. Zoom out: Rain continued to fall across central Texas yesterday, Axios' Asher Price and Madalyn Mendoza report. The rainfall numbers are "unbelievable," Avery Tomasco, a meteorologist for CBS Austin, said on air, describing the storm as a "rain bomb." A flood-damaged hall at Camp Mystic on the South Fork Guadalupe River (right) in Hunt, Texas, yesterday. Photo: Carter Johnston for The New York Times Among those who lost their lives was Dick Eastland, the longtime director of Camp Mystic. 9-year-old campers Lila Bonner and Janie Hunt, and 8-year-old Sarah Marsh also died. Julian Ryan, 27, "died a hero," his family told KHOU in Houston. Ryan's fiancée told the station that when water rapidly entered their home near the river, Ryan punched out a window to get his family to safety. He wasn't able to make it out in time. Get the latest. Texas floods leave at least 51 dead, 27 girls missing as rescuers search devastated landscape Rescuers scoured a devastated central Texas landscape of mangled trees, overturned cars and muck-filled debris in an increasingly bleak mission to locate survivors, including 27 girls who have not been seen since their camp was slammed with a wall of water in a historic flash flood. Authorities still have not said how many people were missing beyond the children from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp along a river in Kerr County where most of the dead were recovered. Read more.

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Central Texas Floods

At least 80 people, including 28 children, have died from historic flash flooding in central Texas over the weekend. At least 10 girls and one counselor are still missing from Camp Mystic, a Christian, all-girls summer camp. See photos of the camp here (warning—sensitive).   Camp Mystic is located in an area along the Guadalupe River known as "flash flood alley" due to the soil's inability to absorb water quickly. The century-old camp was hosting roughly 750 children when a storm began dropping several inches of rain per hour late Thursday night. River waters, fueled by moisture in the air, rose 26 feet within 45 minutes shortly before daybreak Friday—the equivalent of months' worth of rain (see video). Over 850 people were rescued within the first 36 hours of the search, including residents of other camps and people living in nearby localities.    It is unclear why camp residents were not evacuated or whether they had received advance notice. See a timeline of weather notices here.   More floods feared in Texas   Volunteers search for missing people along the banks of the Guadalupe River in Texas. Photo: Rodolfo Gonzalez/AP At least 82 people — including 28 children, many from summer camps — were killed during the catastrophic Fourth of July flooding in Central Texas, Axios' Asher Price, Madalyn Mendoza and Avery Lotz write. Ten girls and a counselor from Camp Mystic, an all-girls' Christian summer camp, are still missing. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said 41 people were unaccounted for across the state, and more could be missing. The bulk of the devastation was in Kerr County, where severe storms caused flash flooding along the Guadalupe River about 65 miles northwest of San Antonio. More heavy rain is expected into tomorrow. From the front page of this morning's Austin American-Statesman. President Trump signed a major disaster declaration for the county yesterday and said federal officials were coordinating with state and local authorities. He told reporters he plans to visit the disaster area, likely on Friday: "We wanted to leave a little time. I would have done it today, but we'd just be in their way." Go deeper: How the deadly Fourth of July floods unfolded, by Axios' Madalyn Mendoza and Astrid Galván. How you can help.

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Death toll from catastrophic flooding in Texas over the July Fourth weekend surpasses 100

KERRVILLE, Texas (AP) — The death toll from catastrophic flooding in Texas over the July Fourth weekend surpassed 100 on Monday as search-and-rescue teams continued to wade into swollen rivers and use heavy equipment to untangle trees as part of the massive search for missing people.

https://apnews.com/article/texas-flash-flood-severe-weather-camp-mystic-ef8e596833b145fef61451db92f32609?

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Texas county deflects mounting questions over actions before deadly flood As deaths from catastrophic Texas flooding surpassed 100 on Monday, local officials in one of the hardest-hit counties have still revealed little about what, if any, actions they took to safeguard residents, tourists and visitors in an area known as “flash flood alley.” Read more.

What to know: Dalton Rice, the city manager of Kerrville, said Monday that authorities were reluctant to “cry wolf” and order evacuations, adding that rainfall “significantly” exceeded the projected amounts. He said officials had little time to react in the middle of the night, adding that qualified first responders were being “swept away” driving through the initial rainfall.   In the 48 hours before the floods, the potential for heavy rains put precautions in motion as the state activated an emergency response plan and moved resources into the central Texas area. The National Weather Service issued a flash-flood warning at 1:14 a.m. Friday to mobile phones and weather radios, more than three hours before the first reports of flooding at low-water crossings in Kerr County at 4:35 a.m. The warning was updated at 4:03 a.m. to a flash-flood emergency.   Local officials have known for decades that flooding posed serious risk to life and property in the region, and a county government report last year warned the threat was getting worse. The river authority has cited the need to develop a flood warning system in Kerr County as a top priority in its last three annual strategic plans.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Death toll from catastrophic flooding in Texas over the July Fourth weekend surpasses 100   Twin 8-year-old girls, a beloved soccer coach and camp director among those killed in Texas floods   WATCH: White House rejects idea cuts affected flood response