Dallas in bull's-eye for severe weather, flooding as storms prompt Tornado Watch in multiple states
This renewed threat comes after at least three people were killed and hundreds of thousands of people were left without power after extreme weather tore across communities from the Plains and Midwest to the Northeast on Tuesday.
Millions in Plains, Midwest brace for severe weather on Wednesday
Millions of people in the Plains and Midwest, including those in cities like Dallas and St. Louis, are bracing for more rounds of severe weather on Wednesday. FOX Weather Meteorologists Stephen Morgan and Marissa Torres break down the latest forecast on April 30.
Fast Facts:
- Severe weather threatens the southern and central U.S. for an eighth-straight day.
- Strong tornadoes (EF-2 or higher) are possible along the Red River Valley in North Texas.
- Torrential rain has prompted numerous Flash Flood Warnings on Wednesday.
DALLAS – A multiday severe weather and flooding threat will continue on Wednesday, with more than 48 million people in cities like Dallas bracing for more rounds of powerful thunderstorms and torrential rain.
This renewed threat comes after at least three people were killed and hundreds of thousands of people were left without power after extreme weather tore across communities from the Plains and Midwest to the Northeast on Tuesday.
![The Lexington Fire Department is working to evacuate those from flooded homes as torrential rain hits Oklahoma on Wednesday.]()
Image 1 of 5The Lexington Fire Department is working to evacuate those from flooded homes as torrential rain hits Oklahoma on Wednesday. (Lexington Fire Dept.)
![The Lexington Fire Department is working to evacuate those from flooded homes as torrential rain hits Oklahoma on Wednesday.]()
Image 2 of 5The Lexington Fire Department is working to evacuate those from flooded homes as torrential rain hits Oklahoma on Wednesday. (Lexington Fire Dept.)
![The Lexington Fire Department is working to evacuate those from flooded homes as torrential rain hits Oklahoma on Wednesday.]()
Image 3 of 5The Lexington Fire Department is working to evacuate those from flooded homes as torrential rain hits Oklahoma on Wednesday. (Lexington Fire Dept.)
![The Lexington Fire Department is working to evacuate those from flooded homes as torrential rain hits Oklahoma on Wednesday.]()
Image 4 of 5The Lexington Fire Department is working to evacuate those from flooded homes as torrential rain hits Oklahoma on Wednesday. (Lexington Fire Dept.)
![The heavy rainfall caused troopers to shut down northbound Interstate 35 at Interstate 44 in the Oklahoma City metro due to significant flooding.]()
Image 5 of 5The heavy rainfall caused troopers to shut down northbound Interstate 35 at Interstate 44 in the Oklahoma City metro due to significant flooding. (@OHPDPS/X)
Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible over a large swath of the U.S. on Wednesday, from the central and southern Plains to the Deep South, Midwest and mid-Atlantic.
However, the FOX Forecast Center is focusing on the southern Plains and Ark-La-Tex region, where the threat is higher.
NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has issued a Tornado Watch for parts of western Arkansas, southeastern Oklahoma and northeastern Texas until 5 p.m. CT.
(FOX Weather)
The SPC has placed more than 7 million people in portions of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana in a Level 3 risk on its 5-point severe thunderstorm risk scale.
This includes those living and working in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, as well as Arlington, Plano and Garland in Texas.
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(FOX Weather)
Forecasters say all severe weather threats are possible on Wednesday, including storms that could produce large hail, damaging wind gusts and tornadoes.
"Some of these tornadoes could be particularly strong," FOX Weather Meteorologist Britta Merwin said. "The whole Metroplex is locked up in this potential, where these tornadoes could be long-lived. They could be stronger than an EF-2, and that risk zone extends up Interstate 30 to Texarkana."
WATCH VS. WARNING: HERE ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THESE WEATHER TERMS THAT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE
Flood risk grows in Plains, Deep South
(FOX Weather)
It's not only severe weather that is concerning forecasters.
Torrential rain from the storms is expected to lead to flash flooding, and numerous Flash Flood Warnings from the heavy precipitation have been issued as of Wednesday morning.
The heavy rainfall caused troopers to shut down northbound Interstate 35 at Interstate 44 in the Oklahoma City metro due to significant flooding.
(@OHPDPS/X / FOX Weather)
Flooding was reported in the Oklahoma City area on Tuesday night, and officials were forced to close a section of Interstate 35 because of water on the roadway.
"Be careful driving if you have to get out," officials warned. "Reduce your speed. And always remember – don’t drive into standing water."
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR HOUSE FLOODS?
(FOX Weather)
NOAA's Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has placed a large area of Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas in a Level 3 out of 4 risk for flooding on Wednesday.
This includes the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, which is also on alert for powerful thunderstorms on Wednesday.