A multi-day severe weather system has impacted a large swath of the central and eastern United States, producing tornadoes, damaging winds, large hail, and flooding. Reports indicate multiple fatalities and injuries, as well as widespread structural damage and power outages across several states.
Chronology of Events
Thursday, March 13
The severe weather outbreak began on Thursday, with storms impacting parts of Oklahoma and Texas.
- Oklahoma: A mother (47) and her daughter (13) died in a tornado-related vehicle crash near Fairview, in Major County.
- Texas: An EF2 tornado near Runaway Bay resulted in at least two deaths and displaced dozens of residents.
Friday, March 14
The most intense day of the outbreak saw widespread severe storms from the Plains to the Great Lakes, resulting in multiple fatalities and significant damage.
- Michigan: Four deaths were reported in southern Michigan.
- In the Union Lake area of Branch County, three deaths and 12 injuries were reported.
- In Cass County, 12-year-old Silas Anderson died at a hospital after being found injured. The Cass County Sheriff's Office reported one death and noted major structural damage to homes and pole barns.
- The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed at least one tornado in southern Michigan near Union City. An EF-3 tornado was confirmed in Union City, causing significant damage including snapped trees, damaged vehicles, and leveled structures.
- Oklahoma: Two deaths were reported in a house in Beggs, Okmulgee County, due to a tornado. The tornado created a damage path of approximately 4 miles in Okmulgee County. Suspected tornadoes were also reported in northern parts of Tulsa.
- Wider Impacts: Over 230 reports of severe weather were recorded by the NWS from Tuesday through early Wednesday, making it the highest 24-hour period since July 28.
Saturday, March 15
Severe weather threats continued across the nation's midsection from Texas northeast to Ohio, western Pennsylvania, and New York. Flash flood risks were also noted from the Great Lakes to Texas.
Confirmed Tornadoes and Severe Weather Reports
Since Thursday, over 50 tornado reports have been recorded. A partial list of confirmed events includes:
- EF4 Tornado – Enid, Oklahoma: Occurred earlier in the week with winds between 170-175 mph. It caused injuries and damage but no fatalities.
- EF3 Tornado – Union City, Michigan: Confirmed on Friday, causing widespread destruction.
- EF2 Tornado – Runaway Bay, Texas: Occurred on Saturday, resulting in at least two deaths.
- EF1 Tornado – Wheatfield, Indiana: Winds of approximately 110 mph.
- EF1 Tornadoes – Southeastern Iowa: Two tornadoes near Donnellson in Lee County, with winds of 100 mph and 90 mph.
- EF1 Tornado – Moro/Midway, Illinois: Winds of 95 mph on March 11, resulting in one reported injury.
- Giant Hail: Hail measuring 5 to 6 inches in diameter was reported in Buckingham, Campus, and Kankakee, Illinois. Hail up to baseball size impacted the western Oklahoma City metro area. Hail up to 2 inches in diameter was reported in the Kansas City metro.
Government Response
Several state governors declared states of emergency or activated emergency operations in response to the severe weather.
- Michigan: Governor Gretchen Whitmer activated the state's Emergency Operations Center and announced plans to declare a state of emergency for Branch, Cass, and St. Joseph counties to aid disaster relief efforts.
- Oklahoma: Governor Kevin Stitt declared a state of emergency in several Oklahoma counties to release support and resources.
- Missouri: Governor Kehoe declared a state of emergency on Friday, citing thunderstorms with damaging winds over 80 miles per hour.
- Texas: Marion County issued a disaster declaration due to tornado activity. A state of emergency was also declared in Texas.
Weather Watches and Forecast
Active Watches (Issued by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center)
- Tornado watch for northern West Virginia until 8 p.m. EDT.
- Tornado watch for northern Kentucky and southern Ohio until 7 p.m. EDT.
- Tornado watch for southeastern Texas and western Louisiana until 6 p.m. CDT.
- Tornado watch for parts of the Maryland panhandle, southern Pennsylvania, and northern Virginia until 8 p.m. EDT.
- Severe thunderstorm watch for parts of northern Alabama and Middle Tennessee until 8 p.m. CDT.
Forecast for Monday and Beyond
- A Level 4 of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms is in effect for parts of southern Illinois and eastern Missouri, including St. Louis. The threat includes intense tornadoes (EF3 or greater), damaging winds, large hail, and flash flooding. Nearly 40 million people are under threat from the Mississippi Valley into the lower Ohio Valley.
- The severe weather system is forecast to move east on Tuesday with a Level 2 of 5 risk from the southern Plains through the Mid-South and into the lower Ohio Valley.
Other Weather Hazards
Flooding
Heavy rainfall of 1-3 inches, with higher localized totals, has raised the threat of flash flooding across several states. In Wisconsin, floodwaters reached record levels, leaving drivers stranded on inundated highways in Milwaukee.
Wildfire Risk
A Red Flag Warning was issued for parts of Virginia's eastern panhandle and the I-81 corridor due to low humidity, dry fuels, near-record temperatures, and wind gusts up to 25 mph.
Temperature
Unseasonably warm temperatures, 20-30 degrees above average, were forecast for parts of the southern U.S., with highs reaching the 80s as far north as parts of the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic. An approaching cold front is expected to bring generally below-average temperatures to the region.