Louisville, Kentucky – After severe storms and suspected tornadoes wreaked havoc in Kentucky, Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma over the weekend, the Memorial Day weather continues to pose challenges. The storms resulted in at least 19 fatalities, including four children, as they caused widespread destruction and power outages affecting over 600,000 people across 12 states.
Images capturing the aftermath show demolished buildings, damaged cars, and piles of rubble. The severe weather also led to the delayed start of the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency after harsh storms persisted in parts of the state, causing damage and knocking out phone lines in the Bowling Green area.
As the storm system moves eastward, the forecast indicates a decrease in the extreme impacts it may bring. However, heavy rain is expected to soak parts of the East Coast on Monday, with a possibility of isolated tornadoes along the Interstate 95 corridor from Newark, New Jersey, down to the Carolinas. Major cities on the East Coast face threats from damaging winds, while the South braces for record-breaking high temperatures.
The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center warns of severe thunderstorm risks in various regions, with concerns over lightning, strong winds, hail, and potential tornadoes. Flash flooding is also a significant threat in areas within the Upper Mississippi Valley and Upper Great Lakes. Commemorations for Memorial Day along the Mid-Atlantic and into the Northeast may face disruptions due to downpours and the risk of excessive rainfall.
Excessive heat warnings are in effect for parts of the South, including southern Texas, the central Gulf Coast, and southern Florida. Temperature readings may reach or exceed record highs, with heat index values soaring past 110 degrees in certain locations. The prolonged heatwave poses health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and outdoor workers, underscoring the increasing dangers of extreme weather driven by climate change.