Severe thunderstorms and flash flood warnings have been issued across Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas, with powerful storms bringing the threat of dangerous flooding, high winds, and isolated tornadoes. The National Weather Service (NWS) urged residents not to drive through flooded roads, warning that "torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to flash flooding."
As of Tuesday morning, parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas had already received up to three inches of rain, with another four inches possible by midday. In Kansas, storms were anticipated to bring wind gusts exceeding 60 mph and hail the size of golf balls, potentially causing damage to vehicles, roofs, siding, and trees. AccuWeather meteorologists projected wind gusts could reach 85 mph on Tuesday and Wednesday, comparable to a Category 1 hurricane.
The storm system, expected to persist for days, is forecast to spread to Colorado, Nebraska, and southern Wyoming by Tuesday afternoon. In addition to flash flooding and damaging hail, the most severe storm areas face a risk of isolated tornadoes. Cities including Paris, Texas; Shreveport, Louisiana; and Norman, Oklahoma, are in the path of the flooding threats. This weather event follows closely behind Tropical Storm Arthur, which recently impacted parts of Texas and Louisiana.
Storm System Evolution
The storm system is expected to move across the Plains throughout the week. Forecasters attribute this to systems moving from the Colorado Rockies colliding with warm, moist air from the Gulf Coast. This combination can fuel thunderstorms, potentially creating supercells capable of producing large hail and tornadoes, common occurrences in the South and Midwest during spring and summer.
By Wednesday, the storm threat is predicted to extend to New Mexico, Mississippi, Alabama, southern Missouri, and the Florida Panhandle. AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex Duffus noted that the focus of severe thunderstorms would shift to the northern Plains and Midwest over the weekend, bringing risks of damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes. The NWS advised people to stay indoors, away from windows, during severe weather.
Flood Safety Warnings
The NWS emphasized that driving into flooded areas is a significant hazard. "Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles," the agency stated. According to NWS data, at least 119 people died in flash floods across the U.S. in 2024, with an additional 30 deaths in river floods. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that over half of all flood-related drownings happen when vehicles are driven into floodwaters, highlighting that "many of these drownings are preventable."