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Severe Storms, Snow, and Record Heat Affect Multiple U.S. Regions
Storms and tornadoes struck parts of the Midwest and Plains on Sunday and Monday. Record high temperatures were reported across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic, while snow and wildfires occurred in the Rockies and western states.
May 18, 5:00 PM·1m read1 source
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Severe weather affected large portions of the United States on Sunday and Monday. Tornadoes touched down in Nebraska, with at least three homes sustaining major damage. Devastation was reported in St. Paul, including torn roofs and scattered debris.
Saint Libory, Nebraska, was among the communities hit hardest. The storms also extended into South Dakota and Iowa. Videos posted to social media showed multiple tornadoes in Patoka Lake, southern Indiana.
The outbreak continued Monday, placing 46 million people at risk for severe storms from north Texas to northern Michigan. By Monday afternoon, 30 high wind reports were recorded across the Midwest. Two tornadoes were reported in Iowa and South Dakota.
More than 5 million people across parts of eastern Kansas, southeastern Nebraska, and Missouri were warned of possible flooding. Some areas of Missouri could see rainfall rates of 5 to 7 inches per hour. m. m. ET in Michigan. m. CT. The greatest risk of tornadoes Monday was across Kansas, including Wichita, Topeka, Salina, Manhattan, and Hutchinson.
Kansas City, Omaha, Lincoln, Des Moines, and Oklahoma City were also under tornado watches.
The Northeast Corridor recorded temperatures in the high 80s and 90s. Temperatures were expected to soar 10-25 degrees above average through Wednesday. Washington was forecast to reach 96 degrees, prompting the district to activate its first heat alert of the season.
Other cities on record-breaking watch included Syracuse, Hartford, Pittsburgh, Richmond, Charleston, Nashville, Lansing, Johnson City, and Fayetteville. New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington were expected to reach the mid-90s. Colorado experienced severe weather across the state, with wildfires in one area and freezing conditions with hail outside Denver.
Winter alerts were issued for much of Wyoming and parts of northeastern Utah and the Colorado Rockies. Red flag warnings were in effect for 11 million people across the southern Plains and the Central Valley of California.
