A new round of severe storms is expected to hit the central United States on Friday, hitting areas already experiencing days of onslaught of tornadoes, massive hail and historic flooding.
The threat comes after there were more than 30 reports of tornadoes and more than 300 reports of softball-sized hail from Texas to the Great Lakes earlier this week.
A storm with the potential for damaging winds and large hail is expected from Oklahoma City to Green Bay Friday afternoon and evening. More tornadoes are expected, with the greatest threat concentrated in Wisconsin, southeastern Minnesota, eastern Iowa and northern Illinois.
A new surge of jet stream energy arriving in the central United States on Friday could tap into moisture in the Gulf and spark a severe storm system stretching from northern Texas to northern Wisconsin.
Areas such as Madison, Wisconsin, are under a Level 3/5 risk for severe thunderstorms with tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds on Friday. Chicago; Kansas City, Missouri; Tulsa, Oklahoma and Wichita, Kansas.
The risk of severe storms is set at 2 out of 5 in Milwaukee. Oklahoma City; St. Louis; Des Moines, Iowa and Springfield, Missouri.
Storms will develop in the northern part of the threat zone as early as early this afternoon, then spread southward. The first storm will likely produce tornadoes of EF3 or higher and potentially more destructive hail.
Widespread damaging winds that could uproot trees and knock out power will be the main threat by evening as the thunderstorm moves east, but tornadoes are still possible along the storm’s leading edge.
This system could bring the last of the severe storms with the threat of strong winds into the upper Ohio Valley on Saturday. The storm-weary central United States will finally get some breathing room starting Sunday as a welcome change in weather patterns brings cooler temperatures.
Friday’s storm arrives as repeated rain this week has already caused major flooding in parts of the Great Lakes. The region is experiencing its wettest start to spring on record, combined with a very active winter snowmelt.
Rivers in Michigan and Wisconsin have already reached or are predicted to reach major or record flood levels in more than 20 locations.
Storms caused flash flooding in Milwaukee Wednesday night, leaving vehicles stranded on flooded roads. Some highways in the city were closed after drivers became stranded in high water, the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office said. The city’s fire department said it responded to about 50 calls for help from rapidly rising waters Tuesday night.
In Michigan, officials are closely monitoring dams under stress from rising waters.
Water levels in the Muskegon River rose above record levels Thursday morning, forcing mandatory evacuations of “persons remaining in the floodplain below Croton Dam” in Newaygo County, county emergency services announced. Water rescues were also conducted near Evert, Michigan, as the river rose and began to affect homes, according to the Evert Fire Department.
Residents near and north of the Cheboygan Dam complex were told to prepare to evacuate Thursday morning as water levels continued to rise, reaching 4.92 inches below the dam’s peak by the afternoon. An evacuation order will be triggered when water reaches 1 inch below the top of the dam, according to a news release from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
In Antrim County, Michigan, officials also advised all residents and businesses downstream of Berea Dam to prepare for possible evacuations. Water levels rose to within 12 inches of the top of the dam on Tuesday, but were stable Thursday morning. Evacuation orders will be issued one inch below the summit, according to a county news release.
A flash flood watch is in effect due to the possibility of the Hesperi Dam rupturing in west-central Michigan. According to the National Weather Service, local officials report water levels in the White River are rising rapidly and could soon crest the dam. The Hesperia District Fire Department advised residents living downstream of the dam to prepare for a possible evacuation.
