WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 2024, AS OF 12:00 PM EST
Beginning on Wednesday, May 1, various regions across the Plains and Midwest have been impacted by several separate storm systems that produced extreme weather, including heavy rainfall and powerful tornadoes. Collectively, these storm systems caused at least two fatalities in Texas and at least one fatality in Oklahoma, as well as multiple injuries, widespread flooding, and structural damage. In Texas, the heavy rain that fell from May 1 to 5 led to major flooding in parts of the State. Flood warnings remained in effect for more than two million people across southeast Texas through Tuesday, May 7.
Additionally, on Monday, May 6, there were over 300 storm reports, including 22 tornado reports, as a regional outbreak of severe weather impacted Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) Storm Prediction Center (SPC). Then, on Tuesday, May 7, another storm system produced 17 reported tornadoes across Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. On Wednesday, May 8, nearly four million people across Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee were at a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms. According to the NWS SPC, a moderate risk is the second most severe thunderstorm risk category, indicating that “long-lived, widespread, and intense” storms are likely.
National Watch Center Geographic Information System (GIS): Texas Flooding
Texas Floods
In the latest of a series of extreme weather events that have impacted Texas over the past several weeks, portions of the state experienced extreme rainfall between May 1 and 5. The heavy rain caused severe flooding, the likes of which have not been seen since the devastation of Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Several cities and towns north of Houston, including Groveton, Huntsville, Splendora, Willis, and Livingston, saw five-day rainfall totals approaching or exceeding 20 inches, according to levels collected by the NWS on Sunday, May 5. The Harris County Flood Warning System recorded rainfall totals ranging from one to several inches across the City of Houston from May 2 to May 5, and other areas just outside of Houston saw total accumulation approaching double digits. Emergency management officials in San Jacinto County and Walker County have labeled this event as “worse,” in terms of flooding, than Hurricane Harvey.
Sign up today at: https://t.co/pKbUshsoFu pic.twitter.com/S0bfLG8U7O
— HCFCD (@hcfcd) May 6, 2024
X: Harris County Flood Control District
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region VI Situational Awareness Report, there has been a total of 160 evacuations and 202 rescues across the State of Texas as of Tuesday, May 7. FEMA reported that 13 shelters across five counties were housing 152 individuals, a boil water notice was in effect for 29,000 water customers, and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has closed 34 roads and reports another 86 roads impacted by high water levels.
On Thursday, May 2, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo signed a local disaster declaration for the County in anticipation of the continuing severe weather, mobilizing incident response and federal financial assistance. Furthermore, Texas Governor Greg Abbott expanded the State’s disaster declaration to cover 88 total counties at risk for worsening conditions. These declarations were made in conjunction with active flood warnings and watches taking effect and mandatory evacuation orders being issued across the State.
TxDOT crews are spread throughout the Houston District in flooded areas including I-69/ US 59 northbound at FM 2090 and FM 1485 at the East Fork of the San Jacinto River. Please remember to never drive through high water. pic.twitter.com/1dPO9pwksi
— TxDOT- HOU District (@TxDOTHouston) May 3, 2024
X: Texas Department of Transportation (DOT) – Housing District
Tornadoes Across the Country
On Monday, May 6, a regional outbreak of extreme weather across the Central Plains produced multiple tornadoes, large hail, and thunderstorm gusts. According to preliminary FEMA radar data, of the 22 reported tornadoes, some reached a three out of five on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale, indicating wind speeds of up to 165 miles per hour (mph). In the State of Oklahoma, there have been at least one weather-related fatality and at least ten weather-related injuries. These storms came just over a month after communities in Oklahoma were impacted by an EF1 tornado on April 1. Monday, May 6, marked the first level five out of five, or high-risk, alert issued by the NWS SPC anywhere in the US in over a year. Additionally, this marks the first high-risk alert issued for Oklahoma in nearly five years.
[1220 AM – 5/7/24] Severe storms continue across eastern OK and far northwest AR. All modes possible through 2 AM, with conditions still favoring potential for a strong tornado near the I-40 corridor in EC OK. #okwx #arwx pic.twitter.com/WedhYANNVZ
— NWS Tulsa (@NWStulsa) May 7, 2024
X: NWS Tulsa
According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP), on Tuesday May 7, between 30 and 40 homes have been reported damaged or destroyed across the State. In addition, several separate tornadoes caused structural damage in Sullivan, Missouri, and Dekalb County, Tennessee. NWS surveyors are expected to conduct local searches across those regions to determine the strength and path of these tornadoes in the coming days.
Additionally, communities across Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio were impacted by 17 tornadoes, large hail, and high winds on Tuesday, May 7. In Michigan, there were two confirmed tornadoes, one of which caused significant damage to about 176 mobile homes in Kalamazoo, Michigan, according to the Kalamazoo County Sheriff, injuring between 16 and 20 people. The powerful tornadoes also caused the partial collapse of a FedEx building in Kalamazoo, trapping 50 people inside the building, according to the Office of the Kalamazoo County Administrator. On Tuesday, May 7, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Branch, and Cass County, as initial damage assessments indicated significant damage to public and private infrastructure, downed power lines, and blocked roads.
X: NWS Houston
In the event of a flood, FEMA recommends individuals seek higher ground, avoid walking or driving in flood waters, and heed the warnings of local authorities. Often, the most important step is to seek shelter away from the water, which may necessitate getting to the highest ground possible or evacuating the area if directed to do so by local authorities. Throughout a flooding event, individuals should pay close attention to emergency alerts and/or their local alerting systems for the most up-to-date information – consider accessing the Emergency Alert System and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio for the latest warnings, watches, and advisories. For more flood safety information, visit Ready.gov.
Additionally, Ready.gov provides information on how to prepare for tornadoes and keep safe, including identifying a safe shelter, preparing a go-bag, and staying up to date on warnings and notices.
The Hagerty Blog Team will continue to provide information and updates on current extreme weather events and disasters impacting the nation. Visit Disaster Discourse for the latest information.