Locations Affected: United States
Tornadoes and storms were reported in parts of the South and Midwest United States on 02 April, causing significant damage to infrastructure, flash floods, strong winds, hail, and at least one fatality. Over 90 million people from Texas to Minnesota were at risk of severe weather, with about 2.5 million in a high-risk zone covering parts of western Tennessee, northeastern Arkansas, southwestern Missouri, western Kentucky, and southern Illinois. The extreme weather is attributed to daytime heating combined with an unstable atmosphere, strong wind shear, and abundant moisture from the Gulf of Mexico.
Impact of the Extreme Weather
- Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm on 02 April.
- Tornadoes were reported in Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma on 02 April and in Indiana and Kentucky on 03 April, causing flying debris, downed utility lines, overturned vehicles, infrastructure damage, and multiple injuries.
- Over 3 km of Highway 18 in Arkansas was temporarily closed due to a downed power line. Five semi-trucks were blown over on Interstate 65 near Lowell, Indiana. Roads were also closed in Potosi, Indianapolis, and Kansas City.
- Nearly 250,000 customers experienced power outages across Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, and Ohio.
Weather Forecast and Further Risks
The risk of flash flooding is expected to continue until 05 April due to supercharged thunderstorms moving east, with more than 30 cm of rainfall possible through 06 April. Parts of Arkansas, western Kentucky, western Tennessee, and southern Indiana are at high risk of flooding. Recovery efforts are ongoing, but damage to utility structures may cause further disruptions to power and communication services. Travel delays are likely to persist due to inundation and debris, and flight disruptions may occur depending on weather conditions. Organizations are advised to stay updated on weather conditions and warnings issued by the National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/
