'Nocturnal monster': After days of killer tornadoes and storms, more is on the way: Updates
Another round of dangerous storms was forecast to roll across a swath of the nation's midsection Monday as cleanup continued following a brutal round of severe weather that devastated multiple states.
A tornado watch was issued by the National Weather Service Monday afternoon for parts of seven states in the central U.S., from Nebraska south to Texas. This means conditions are ripe for tornadoes to form. Tornado warnings were being issued in Oklahoma as of mid-afternoon.
At least 28 people have died and dozens more were injured in the wave of tornadoes and angry storms that roared across much of the Midwest and East from late Thursday through Sunday. AccuWeather said more than 80 tornadoes had been confirmed as of Monday morning, with areas of Kentucky, Kansas, Missouri, Indiana, Illinois and Virginia − where two deaths were reported − staggered by some of the worst damage.
More heartache could be on the way.
"A maturing central U.S. storm system is expected to produce another round of dangerous, severe weather and instances of flash flooding today," the National Weather Service warned Monday. The forecast discussion added that "from a broader perspective," locally heavy rain was forecast to reach from the northern Plains to Texas.
AccuWeather said severe thunderstorms will batter the region into Tuesday, with tornadoes, hail and flooding "posing a risk to life and property." On Tuesday, the threat slides east, targeting states such as Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky once again.
After 21 tornadoes, Kansas facing more weather woes
An area from Texas to Missouri was in the crosshairs of the ominous forecast for late Monday into Tuesday. Storms were expected to roll into Kansas late Monday, with hail, high winds and tornadoes possible, the weather service said.
This after an estimated 21 tornadoes were reported on May 18. Tornadoes damaged homes just before 7 p.m. local time at Grinnell, along Interstate 70 in northeast Kansas, and just before midnight in the area of Plevna in south-central Kansas, the weather service said. No injuries were reported.
Scientist and storm chaser Matthew Cappucci described the tornado near Plevna as a "nocturnal monster."
"In my career, I've never encountered a tornado with louder roar, more classic violent structure," Cappucci said in a social media post. "There is no doubt in my mind that this was an EF5-strength tornado – damage/rating will depend on what it's found to have hit."
Missouri already facing $1 billion in damage
In Missouri, the weather service predicted more severe weather Monday into Tuesday "capable of producing large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes."
Missouri was already reeling from seven deaths reported in the last round of tornadoes. St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer, who estimated that damages could exceed $1 billion, said search and rescue efforts had been completed late Sunday.
"Our fire department, with the help of other first responders, checked every single building in the affected area for loss of life," Spencer said in a social media post. "We are so grateful for their tireless work."
More storms coming to battered Kentucky
In Kentucky, the weather service was calling for a few strong thunderstorms that "could produce hail and locally gusty winds." At least 19 deaths were reported across the state in recent days, with neighborhoods in London and other cities reduced to rubble.
NWS meteorologist Dustin Jordan said the tornado that hit London was an apparent EF-3 that moved across parts of Russell, Pulaski and Laurel counties May 16 into May 17. An EF-3 tornado has wind speeds of between 136 mph and 165 mph.
"We've been doing damage assessments since Saturday," Jordan said. "It's probably going to be on the higher end of EF-3 but I don't want to put an exact number on it just yet.''
Gov. Andy Beshear made an urgent plea for financial help.
"A lot of Kentuckians are hurting right now," Beshear said in a social media post. From paying for funerals to helping rebuild, every dollar donated to the http://teamkystormrelieffund.ky.gov goes directly to survivors. If you’re able to help, please do."
Gulf moisture could fuel storms
Moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, renamed Gulf of America by the U.S. government, will expand across the central and southern Plains on Monday, setting up severe thunderstorms Monday into Tuesday, AccuWeather senior meteorologist Mike Youman said. The storm will tap into warm, moist air and set the stage for "damaging to destructive thunderstorms," Youman said.
Contributing: Tim Hrenchir, Topeka Capital-Journal