Severe storms threaten over 100 million in the US
- Severe storms have affected Oklahoma and Northern Texas for ten straight days, with over 100 million people at risk due to the cold front.
- During this timeframe, damaging thunderstorms have the potential to produce high wind gusts, large hail, and tornadoes in multiple states.
- The ongoing severe weather conditions demonstrate the need for continued vigilance and prepared emergency responses in affected areas.
In early May 2025, severe weather has been a relentless threat in the United States, particularly affecting Oklahoma and Texas for ten consecutive days. A significant cold front stretching from San Antonio, Texas, to Albany, New York, is responsible for this ongoing harsh weather, causing dangerous severe thunderstorms to develop, especially in the southern Plains. Atmospheric conditions have led to a squall line of storms packed with damaging wind gusts exceeding 60 mph, tennis-ball-sized hail, and the potential for scattered tornadoes. A Level 3 out of 5 risk for severe storms was issued by the NOAA's Storm Prediction Center, affecting a vast area from San Antonio to Nashville and Kentucky. The risk of severe thunderstorms has expanded into other regions, including the Ohio Valley and Northeast, with isolated thunderstorms expected to bring damaging conditions as well. Reports from Dallas indicated record rainfalls that added to the overall flooding issues faced throughout the region, with flash flood warnings issued for parts of Texas and Oklahoma. The impacts of this severe weather are exacerbated by the saturated ground conditions, creating heightened risks for additional flooding and dangerous driving situations. Emergency officials in various counties have been responding to incidents caused by tornadoes, with injuries reported and homes destroyed. The severe weather is predicted to continue, with further thunderstorms expected to develop over the coming days, suggesting that relief from severe storms may not be immediate. The storms are characterized by a complex storm system that is slowly moving eastward, promising widespread impacts including potential flash flooding and frequent lightning across several states in the central United States.