The threat of record flooding has areas of the central United States on alert after more than a week of extreme weather that has brought with it tornadoes, fierce winds and heavy rains.
CNN Meteorologist Robert Shackelford said 3.6 million people were under a flash flood watch, and 1.3 million under a severe thunderstorm watch overnight Sunday, with nearly 50 million at risk of severe weather impacts on Monday.
“Severe thunderstorms are continuing along the central High Plains, bringing damaging winds and the possibility for a few tornadoes, but these systems will weaken throughout the night,” he said.
Tulsa Levees Under Strain, Record Flooding Expected
Oklahoma and other parts of the Midwest are still reeling from a deadly spring storm system that has resulted in more than 170 reported tornadoes plus strong winds, flash flooding and hail.In Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Army Corps of Engineers said it was increasing the release of water at Keystone Dam to 265,000 cubic feet per second (CFS) Sunday evening and to 275,000 CFS Monday morning “with the expectation to leave it at this level through Thursday.”
Evacuations Underway in Arkansas
Arkansas fully activated its State Emergency Operations Center on Sunday morning in response to rising water levels and anticipated continued flooding along the Arkansas River.“I appreciate all the neighbors and volunteers filling sandbags and assisting with evacuations. The state team is continuing to respond to assistance requests, and more funds will be allocated as the situation demands,” the governor said in a statement.
Ten Arkansas counties had verbally declared Sunday morning—meaning they can request disaster resources. Another two had submitted written declarations, the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management said in a statement.
Deadly Tornado Hits Oklahoma
A state of emergency has also been in place across all 77 counties of Oklahoma since Friday due to the severe weather.Six people have died in the state after flooding, severe storms and tornadoes.
A mobile home park was “devastated” after the twister made landfall, Mayor Matt White said. El Reno has a population of about 19,000.
“It’s a lot of devastation here, it’s leveled, it’s just devastated,” White said in a phone interview with CNN. “It’s tore all to pieces, it was terrible.”
Two people were killed earlier in Mayes County, according to a tally Sunday from the state medical examiner’s office. A 53-year-old woman also died in Payne County and a 58-year-old man died in Stephens County, according to officials.
Area hospitals reported 92 injuries, the state health department said.