Severe weather deja vu in the central U.S. brings a major flood risk

Welcome to April! Spring is in full swing across the center of the country this week as a significant severe weather threat builds into Wednesday across many of the same areas that saw damaging storms just the other day. A multi-day flash flood risk will build alongside the storms throughout the Mid-South and Ohio Valley.

Let's dive into Wednesday's severe weather risk before we tackle the flash flood threat.

Moderate Risk for Severe on Wednesday

A widespread risk for severe weather will develop through the day Wednesday across the central U.S., stretching from northern Texas northward into Michigan. The Storm Prediction Center issued an enhanced risk for severe weather–a level three out of five—for just about everyone from Dallas to Detroit, preparing the region to see storms capable of producing very strong wind gusts, large hail, and tornadoes.

The SPC also issued a moderate risk for severe weather–a level four out of five–across portions of the Mississippi River and Ohio River valleys, including Memphis, Paducah, and Evansville, for an increased potential for tornadoes. Some of these tornadoes could be strong or long-lived. 

The greatest threat for severe storms will begin in the afternoon and continue well after dark.

Significant Flash Flood Risk Builds Into This Weekend

A strong ridge of high pressure setting up over the southeast will lock a boundary into place across the Mid-South and Ohio Valley. Moisture-packed southerly winds spiraling around the high will focus waves of heavy rain along this boundary.

As a result, we'll see a major flash flood threat build through this weekend. Forecasters expect as much as 10-15 inches of rain to fall along a stretch of real estate from near Little Rock to near Louisville. A very large swath of 5-10 inches of rain radiates out from that bullseye to cover many major cities throughout the region.

Severe Weather Safety

Flash flooding is exceptionally dangerous. Most flash flood deaths occur in vehicles. Never attempt to drive across a flooded roadway. It's impossible to tell how deep the water is until it's too late, and it takes very little moving water to lift up a vehicle and carry it away.

Make a plan in advance where to go in the event a tornado warning is issued for your location. Mentally map out the safest part of your home, as well as where you'd duck for cover in commonly visited places like school, work, grocery stores, and while you're in your vehicle.

Ensure you have a way to receive severe weather warnings the moment they're issued. Please remember that tornado sirens are not reliable and they're not meant to be heard indoors.

Check your phone now and ensure that emergency alerts are enabled for tornado warnings. These free push alerts are a lifesaving defense against dangerous thunderstorms. The system triangulates your location based on your cell signal to determine if you're in a tornado warning. It works, and it's saved countless lives over the past decade.

Always have a backup when it comes to receiving severe weather alerts. NOAA Weather Radios are like smoke detectors for the weather. You can program these devices to sound a loud alarm the moment your county is included in a watch or warning—even when the power's out and they're running on batteries.

 

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