Derecho Threatens More Than 90 Million Across Kansas and Plains
Severe weather tied to a derecho could affect more than 90 million people across the middle of the country this week as storms continue to move through the Midwest and northern Plains. Nikki Nolan, a CBS News meteorologist, said up to 4 inches of rain may fall in some areas on Tuesday.
Flood watches remained in effect until Tuesday night for about 6 million people in the Midwest, while major cities in Kansas, including Topeka and Salina, face a severe weather threat expected to last through Thursday.
Kansas and the Plains
Storms across the Plains could produce hail, severe wind gusts and a few tornadoes. The region also remains at risk of flash flooding, large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes, with forecasters predicting rainfall of 7 inches or more in some areas.
Heavy rain posed risks across sections of the Mississippi, Tennessee and Ohio valleys, and excessive rain in Tennessee was expected to continue bringing flash flooding on Tuesday. As much as 9 inches of rain drenched parts of Tennessee in recent days.
Weekend Storm Damage
The threat comes after a weekend system that already hit several states with heavy rain and strong winds. More than half a foot of rain struck the region on Monday, and there were 65 flash flood reports from Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.
Saturday brought torrential downpours in Texas' Milam County, where vehicles slid off local roads and multiple water rescues followed. On Sunday, rushing water near Huntsville, Alabama triggered a flash flood emergency, and an 85-year-old man was struck and killed by a falling tree in Queens.
Tim Broadwater
In Pittsburgh, Tim Broadwater described the wind that shook his home to CBS Mornings: "I was scared to death," he said. His home was knocked off cement blocks, and he added, "I thought I was going to end up in the creek."
Wind gusts reached 64 mph in Brooklyn, and the New York City Parks and Recreation Department said the storms downed more than 250 trees across the city. For people in the threat zone this week, the immediate step is to stay ready for flash flooding and fast-changing severe weather through Thursday, especially where watches remain in effect.
