Flash floods and tornadoes have been ripping through states in both the Midwest and South in the United States on Thursday, April 3rd. Large portions of the country have been facing incredible devastation, and the weather does not appear to be letting up any time soon. Officials in the areas are preparing citizens for multiple days of dangerous weather, with outages and disruptions throughout the weekend. Residents are asked to stay safe and take any necessary precautions to secure themselves in case of emergencies.
Flash Floods and Tornadoes Already Taking Lives
So far, these devastating weather events have already taken the lives of multiple citizens, including a Missouri fire chief. The exact death toll is ongoing as more reports come out, but there have been reported deaths in Missouri, Indiana, and Tennessee. There are also injuries being reported out of Arkansas. As of 2:00 PM, there are at least 250,000 people without power across the United States, with outages expected to last multiple days as crews continue to face dangerous conditions.
In the Ohio Valley and the Mid-South regions, residents are warned that historic flash flooding could be in store with all the excess rainwater. Over 10 to 15 inches of rain is being forecasted through the weekend. The flooding is expected to cause massive damage and extended power outages. These floods also have the potential to take lives, so citizens are being asked to take every necessary precaution to stay safe.
Residents in Arkansas, Lousiana, Texas, and the Ozark region are warned that tornadoes and large hail storms are predicted to affect the area. The state of Indiana has activated the National Guard due to severe damage across 41 different counties. In activating the National Guard, soldiers will come in to help prep towns for the storm, including sandbag protections. Downed power lines are also a serious concern, and have already taken one life.
Residents Need To Continue To Take Precautions
Residents are urged to continue to take precautions to protect themselves and their families. There has been damage to buildings and infrastructure reported across the country. Citizens should seek out safe shelter to ride out the storms and make sure they have emergency food, light sources, and warmth nearby if at all possible. Those who are not essential personnel/ first responders are encouraged to shelter in place if they can. Storms are ongoing, and additional reports will be made as information comes in. Residents should continue to follow weather patterns and recommendations from their local agencies for further advice and emergency declarations.
