Severe Storms Cause Devastation Across Midwest and Central US
OMAHA, Nebraska (AP) — A powerful storm system is impacting millions of people in the heart of the United States, with parts of the Midwest and Great Plains experiencing blizzard conditions and neighboring states facing the threat of high winds and wildfires. Bryan Jackson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center, reported that approximately 72 million individuals were under a wind advisory or warning, with winds exceeding 45 mph (72 kph). These conditions are a result of the clash between cold air from the north and warm air from the south during this time of year, leading to the formation of strong low pressure systems. The recent weather patterns mark the third storm system in the past few weeks that has rapidly developed, bringing intense winds across a wide region in the U.S., making it a notably active period since February.
Over the weekend, at least 42 people lost their lives as dynamic storms unleashed tornadoes, blinding dust storms, and wildfires, causing widespread destruction across eight states in the South and Midwest. A band stretching from southwestern Kansas to central Wisconsin is expected to bring anywhere from 2 inches (5 centimeters) to 1 foot (30 cm) of snow, accompanied by high winds that could create whiteout conditions. Due to the severe weather, the Kansas Department of Transportation closed more than 250 miles (400 kilometers) of Interstate 70 from the Colorado border to Salina, Kansas.
Blizzard conditions early Wednesday led to near-zero visibility in south-central Nebraska, prompting the state patrol to advise against travel. Numerous road closures were reported, including more than 160 miles (255 km) of I-80 from Lincoln to Lexington and nearly 70 miles (115 km) of I-29 along the Nebraska-Iowa border, due to stalled vehicles, accidents, and downed power lines. The storm also caused significant power outages affecting over 202,000 customers in several states.
The abrupt change in weather, following a springlike day with temperatures surpassing 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 Celsius), has left many residents experiencing weather extremes. In areas not impacted by snow, strong winds persist, increasing the risk of wildfires in regions from Texas and Oklahoma through Arkansas and central Missouri.
Jackson warned of the heightened fire danger, stating that the dry conditions pose a significant threat before vegetation begins to grow. The wildfire risk was particularly pronounced in Oklahoma, where recent blazes have left more than 400 homes severely damaged or destroyed, with casualties reported due to the fires and high winds. The Texas A&M Forest Service reported responding to multiple new wildfires that burned nearly 29 square miles (75 square kilometers) across Texas on Tuesday.
Efforts to contain the fires continue, with one particularly threatening blaze near Borger, Texas, prompting evacuations and power outages. The situation remains precarious as firefighters work to control the spread of wildfires in the region.
“The city credited a quick response and collaborative effort from various departments in the region for successfully keeping the fire outside of the city limits and saving all 1201 homes,” stated the city. By Wednesday night, the fire, which initially covered 350 acres (140 hectares), had spread to an estimated 500 acres (200 hectares) and was 75% contained, as reported by the Texas A&M Forest Service. In Arkansas, crews battled numerous fires amid windy conditions, with four homes in Little Rock suffering heavy damage in the southwest part of the city, according to Fire Chief Delphone Hubbard. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries or fatalities. Mayor Frank Scott emphasized the importance of following a burn ban for Pulaski County, urging residents to avoid reckless behavior to prevent loss of life. Smoke from a grass fire led to the closure of a section of I-530 southeast of Little Rock, but traffic resumed later in the evening. The state experienced wind gusts up to 59 mph (95 kph), as reported by the National Weather Service. Meanwhile, in New Mexico, massive dust walls caused highway closures and power outages on Tuesday, with forecasters warning of critical fire weather conditions expected to return on Thursday. Severe thunderstorms were possible in central Illinois, with the risk of hail, strong winds, and tornadoes. Indiana and Illinois were forecasted to be under slight risk, with a lower risk extending south through the Tennessee Valley. Severe storms brought strong winds and threats of hail and tornadoes in parts of Indiana, according to the National Weather Service. Looking ahead, meteorologists warned of a storm sending a cold front across the Eastern Seaboard on Thursday, potentially resulting in heavy snowfall at higher elevations in New England. This report includes contributions from Fingerhut in Des Moines, Iowa and Associated Press writers John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas, Andrew DeMillo in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Hallie Golden in Seattle.”
