Flash Flood Warnings for Four States as Heavy Rainfall Hits
This year, the American Automobile Association (AAA) is anticipating that more than 45 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home from May 22 to 26 to celebrate the holiday. It's expected to set a new Memorial Day weekend travel record.
Severe weather is expected across the country, with thunderstorms in the Midwest likely to see several inches of rain in just a matter of hours.
The National Weather Service (NWS) maps show heavy rain expected across most of Oklahoma, the northwestern part of Arkansas, southwestern Missouri, and the southeastern-most part of Kansas, with a little heavy rain hitting an isolated part of northern Texas.
The warnings are rolling throughout the day, with some in effect until later on Sunday morning local time and others in effect until Sunday afternoon, but the NWS has warned that rains and flooding may occur through until Monday morning.
All of those areas, except for Texas, have some areas with flood and even flash flood warnings: Fayetteville, Arkansas, and the surrounding counties, as well as Branson, Missouri, and the counties just north of it, have flash flood warnings, with flood warnings also issued for Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the surrounding counties north to Bartlesville and east of Ponca City.
Missouri is expected to see between 1 and 2 inches of rain in just one hour this morning, with additional amounts of up to 4 inches in warned areas, including Eastern Douglas County, Ozark County, and Taney County until 2:30 p.m. CT.
The NWS has advised residents to turn around if they encounter a flooded area, especially in vehicles, warning that "many flood deaths occur in vehicles."
"Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding," the agency wrote.
NWS in a Friday morning forecast: "A stormy Memorial Day Weekend is on tap from the Central Plains to the Mid-South. Daily rounds of strong-to-severe storms are likely to result in areas of flash flooding, especially overnight. Here are some tips on how to prepare in advance of flash floods."
In a separate post on that day, NWS wrote: "Daily – at least low – chances of severe weather will impact various parts of the central and southern plains through the Memorial Day Holiday weekend. Remember too that strong winds, flash flooding, and hail aren't the only threats from thunderstorms. Lightning strikes can result in death or serious injury. If you hear thunder or see lightning, take shelter in an enclosed building or a hard-topped vehicle with the windows up."
Many states will remain under a flood watch through the holiday. More storms are expected over the weekend and on Monday.
Related Articles
Map Shows First Tropical Storm Could Form in the Next 7 DaysCentral Park Breaks 131-Year Temperature RecordPeople Advised to Avoid the Water at Beaches in 12 StatesVeterans Issued Weather Warnings for Memorial Day Events
2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
Over a Million Americans Told to Combine Errands as Alert Hits 9 States
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Air quality alerts had been issued for nine states as of Sunday morning, with residents in some areas advised to combine errands in order to help reduce pollution levels. Why It Matters According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), studies have linked particle pollution exposure to various health effects, including respiratory symptoms—such as coughing and wheezing, the development of asthma and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections. What To Know In collaboration with local agencies, the National Weather Service (NWS) had published air quality alerts for the following states as of Sunday: Minnesota Wisconsin Michigan Illinois Indiana New York Vermont Maine New Hampshire These were issued due to potentially hazardous levels of fine particulate pollution triggered by wildfire smoke flowing into the U.S. from neighboring Canada. In Indiana, advisories affecting over a million residents across numerous counties, including but not limited to Lake, Porter, and Elkheart, advised locals to take steps to help reduce pollution such as avoiding the use of drive-thru lanes and combining errands into one trip. Authorities also suggested limiting vehicle use by walking, biking, or using public transportation if possible. Air quality alerts had been in effect for parts of the U.S. for multiple days due to Canadian wildfire smoke. In a social media post on Friday, AccuWeather reported that the smoke resulted in Chicago having "the worst air quality in the world for several hours and blanketing the skyline in haze" What People Are Saying AccuWeather meteorologist Dan Pydynowski told Newsweek on Friday: "Smoke and haze creating poor air quality at times will likely continue to be an issue in [the Great Lakes, Upper Midwest and central U.S.] through the weekend and into early next week. "The smoke/haze will gradually spread south and east later this weekend into early next week as well, perhaps getting into parts of the Northeast U.S. and the central-southern Plains too." NWS Burlington, Vermont, said on X, formerly Twitter, Saturday: "If you've noticed it becoming hazier this afternoon, you're not mistaken. Canadian wildfire smoke is again entering the region and it is expected to linger for a couple days. Air Quality Alerts have been issued area-wide for tomorrow." The National Weather Service said in a post on X, Friday: "The view from our GOES East satellite at sunrise revealed widespread wildfire smoke that is resulting in large areas of unhealthy air quality, and Air Quality Alerts for at least portions of eight U.S. states. Take precautions." What Happens Next The NWS issues updates regularly on its website.
Newsweek
4 hours ago
- Newsweek
Millions Told To Wear Loose Clothes As Heat Risks 'Lethal Temperatures'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Heat-related alerts were in effect for parts of five states as of early Sunday, with the National Weather Service (NWS) advising residents in affected areas to take steps to reduce the health impact of extreme temperatures. Why It Matters The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that extreme heat can lead to heat-related illnesses, especially for older adults, young children, and individuals with chronic medical conditions. Symptoms can include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, dizziness, and nausea. The agency reports that extreme heat is responsible for over 700 deaths in the U.S. each year. Moreover, rising temperatures can worsen ground-level ozone pollution, potentially compounding existing health risks. A lifeguard keeps watch as people try to stay cool at the beach at Coney Island in Brooklyn as the region experiences another heatwave on July 30, 2025, in New York City. A lifeguard keeps watch as people try to stay cool at the beach at Coney Island in Brooklyn as the region experiences another heatwave on July 30, 2025, in New York To Know Extreme heat warnings, issued by the NWS when "extremely dangerous heat conditions are expected or occurring" spanned southern Arizona and the Grand Canyon, as well as southeast California. The agency said that "dangerously hot conditions," with afternoon temperatures up to 117 degrees would be possible in the Sonoran Desert National Monument, Aguila Valley, Tonopah Desert, Gila Bend, Cave Creek/New River, Fountain Hills/East Mesa, Superior, Northwest Pinal County, West Pinal County, and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon "Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening," the NWS advised. "Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water." Elsewhere, less severe heat advisories were in effect for southern Florida, as well as southeast and far west Texas. In Texas, Inland Calhoun, Inland Kleberg, Inland Nueces, Inland Refugio, Inland San Patricio, Jim Wells, and Victoria Counties were expected to see heat index values—which reflect how hot it feels when both humidity and temperature are considered—of 110 to 114 degrees, according to an advisory that was in effect until 7 p.m. CDT Sunday. In Florida, portions of the south, southeast and southwest could expect heat index values up to 109, according to the agency. An extreme heat watch had also been issued for the Colorado River Valley and the Lake Mead area, in Nevada, where the NWS cautioned that high temperatures up to well into the triple digits would be possible later in the week. What People Are Saying AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham told Newsweek: "The Desert Southwest will experience the highest temperatures across the nation, with places like Phoenix and Yuma, Arizona, and Palm Springs, California, approaching 115 degrees this afternoon. This translates to high temperatures that are 6-10 degrees above average highs." The National Weather Service said in some extreme heat warnings: "Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes." The National Weather Service forecast office Phoenix said on X, formerly Twitter, Saturday: "As of 3:50 p.m. MST, Phoenix Sky Harbor has reached a record high temperature of 114 degrees for today's date. This breaks the previous record of 113 degrees last set in 2011." NWS Miami, Florida said on X, Sunday: "Heat Advisory again today as heat index values reach 105 degrees or higher across much of SoFlo. Showers and thunderstorms will again favor the Lake region with prevailing SSE winds." What Happens Next At the time of writing, the latest extreme heat warning was in force until 8 p.m. MST on Friday. Regular forecast updates are issued by the NWS on its website and social media channels.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
How to Protect Yourself From Canadian Wildfire Smoke
A detailed view of the sun covered by smoke from the Canadian wildfires as air quality alerts were issued across Minnesota during the second round of the 3M Open 2025 at TPC Twin Cities on July 25, 2025 in Blaine, Minnesota. Credit - Andrew Wevers—2025 Getty Images Smoke from Canadian wildfires has sent a blanket of smoke over the midwestern United States this weekend. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued air quality alerts for Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well as, Iowa, Illinois Michigan, and parts of Nebraska and Missouri. Minneapolis and Chicago remained on IQAir's list of top 10 major cities with the worst air quality on Saturday morning and Minnesota's Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) extended an air quality alert for all of the state throughout the weekend. Wildfires are becoming increasingly common in Canada and the United States. In 2023, more than 6,000 fires ravaged 37 million acres of land in Canada alone and the last two years have ranked among the worst wildfire seasons in the country's history, according to the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service. Parts of states like Texas, Oregon and California experiencing wildfires twice as often as they did in the 1970s, according to a study by the Center of American Progress. Behind this rise is climate change, which is exacerbating the frequency and severity of wildfires, specifically in northern and more temperate forest areas. As 2023 and 2024 were the two hottest years on record, they also saw "unprecedentedly high' increases in fires damaging global forests. Read More: We Are Living in the Age of Fire. And It's Only Going To Get Worse 'Because of climate change, and the fact that we're starting to see [wildfires] more and more, it's becoming a very active area of research,' Dr. MeiLan Han, a spokesperson for the American Lung Association told TIME earlier this year in the aftermath of the Los Angeles Wildfires. 'We need to think hard about how we can obviously try to prevent the wildfires, but [also] think about how we can protect air quality better moving forward, generally speaking, because it is becoming an increasing health concern—not just a one-off event.' The masses of smoke produced by those fires is viewed by experts as a major public health threat. Poor air quality can be devastating for a person's health, especially vulnerable populations. The effects can be felt right away, says the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), with symptoms including a scratchy throat, coughing, trouble breathing, and chest pain. Those with asthma, heart disease, chronic conditions, and those who are pregnant are particularly vulnerable. As smoke from wildfires can travel far and wide—sometimes even thousands of miles away from the fire it originated at—and as climate scientists share that the frequency of these events will increase, here is how best to protect yourself. Stay Indoors One of the best ways to protect oneself when the air quality has worsened is to limit time breathing the pollutants in the air, and moving events indoors. This is especially important for those with asthma, heart or lung disease, as well as older adults and children, who should consider rescheduling events to be indoors and reduce 'heavy exertion,' according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. If you go outside, be prepared If you have to go outside, experts recommend using a face mask to limit the pollutants that enter your body, including through wearing a N95 or KN95 mask. If you do buy a mask, its recommended, according to the Washington State Department of Health, to find one that is certified by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The mask should seal over your mouth, chin, and nose in order to properly protect from pollutants. Masks work best, they say, on clean-shaven faces, and should be thrown out after breathing gets difficult, or the mask gets damaged. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also recommends finding a mask with two straps that fit over your head, not those with one strap, or with two straps that go over the ears. 'A respirator is a device (mask) that covers your nose and mouth, fits tightly to your face, and can filter out smoke or ash particles before you breathe them in,' the EPA says. Improve Air Quality Indoors If in a car, experts say the best thing to do to protect yourself is to ensure that your car is not taking in air from outside, but instead is recirculating air from inside the car. The EPA also recommends that people increase the air quality in their homes through considering air purifiers, portable air cleaners, or even 'do-it-yourself (DIY) air cleaners.' If you have air conditioning in your home, they recommend setting the system to recirculate mode, or closing the outdoor intake damper. Check your local Air Quality Index One of the best ways to protect yourself is to stay informed, and check your local air quality through the government's AirNow website, which includes six color-coded categories that correspond to a range of air quality values, from best to worst. The EPA measures air quality through this Air Quality Index (AQI), in which a score of under 50 indicates good air quality, up to where a score of over 300 indicates 'hazardous' air quality that is a health hazard to all in the area. Contact us at letters@
