Millions in the central United States face the threat of severe weather, including strong tornadoes, after a weekend of violent storms that left at least 28 people dead. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a level 4-of-5 risk for severe thunderstorms in the Plains, marking the third such warning in four days. Areas at risk include Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma, as well as Dallas, Kansas City, and St. Louis.
More than 12 million people from North Texas to Nebraska were under tornado watches by Monday afternoon (May 19). The storms are expected to bring damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes that could reach EF3 strength or greater. The NWS in Norman, Oklahoma, urged residents to stay alert and have a shelter plan in place.
The weekend storms caused widespread destruction, particularly in Kentucky, where ABC News reported 19 deaths, mostly in Laurel County. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency, describing the devastation as one of the worst in terms of loss of life and damage. In St. Louis, Missouri, an EF3 tornado killed five people and injured dozens more, according to St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer.
The severe weather has resulted in an estimated $9 billion to $11 billion in damages, AccuWeather reported. More than 700,000 homes and businesses lost power across 12 states during the height of the outbreak, with Missouri and Kentucky hit hardest.
As the storms move east, the threat will shift to the Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee valleys, with damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes possible. Residents in affected areas are advised to stay informed and take precautions as severe weather continues to impact the region.