(AP) – A severe weather warning has been issued for the central United States, with forecasters predicting powerful storms including long-track tornadoes, hurricane-force winds, and baseball-sized hail. The rare high-risk warning covers central Oklahoma and southern Kansas, with much of Oklahoma and parts of Kansas at the greatest risk.
The National Weather Service has highlighted the severe threat for tornadoes, affecting more than 3.4 million people, 1,614 schools, and 159 hospitals in Oklahoma, southern Kansas, and far north Texas. Nearly 10 million people live in areas that could be affected.
Schools and colleges, including the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma City Public Schools, have closed early and canceled late afternoon and evening classes and activities. Oklahoma’s State Emergency Operations Center remains activated, coordinating storm response.
Residents like Monte Tucker in Sweetwater, Oklahoma, are taking precautions, protecting their property and preparing safe rooms. Bill Bunting from the Storm Prediction Center emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating that a high risk is not seen often and should be taken very seriously.
The last high-risk warning was issued in 2023, and the current risk is the worst in five years. The severe weather threat extends to cities like Kansas City, Missouri, and Lincoln, Nebraska.
The storms are expected to increase in intensity during the evening, potentially producing winds exceeding 80 mph and destructive tornadoes. The unusual confluence of weather factors, including strong winds from Colorado and moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, is fueling the severe weather.
The severe weather threat will move east, affecting cities like Kansas City and Springfield, Missouri, into early Tuesday. The entire week is expected to be stormy in the eastern U.S. and the South, with floodwaters receding in the Houston area after heavy rain.
Residents in affected areas are advised to develop a severe weather plan, ensuring they can communicate with family members and know where shelters are located.