Severe storms batter US Midwest and South, killing at least 3 and injuring dozens

Key facts

• A tornado with winds of at least 120 mph tore through a small Texas city, flattening manufacturing buildings and tearing roofs from homes.
• At least 2 people were injured in Texas storms, with buildings collapsed and homes without roofs.
• 2 people were killed in Florida amid strong winds and 'extremely rough' ocean conditions.
• A violent tornado in Oklahoma damaged 40 homes but spared lives.
• Kenya's rainy season turned deadly, with 18 killed and 54,000 households affected over a week.
• A hailstorm at a Missouri zoo killed an emu, canceled flights, and damaged hundreds of vehicles.
• Heavy weekend rain slowed two sprawling Georgia wildfires, even as new blazes started.

Tornadoes and flash floods claim lives across multiple states

A powerful storm system sweeping across the United States has unleashed tornadoes, flash floods, and dangerous coastal conditions, leaving at least three people dead and dozens injured from Texas to Florida. In Texas, a tornado with winds exceeding 120 mph ripped through a small city, flattening manufacturing buildings and tearing roofs off homes, officials confirmed. At least two people were injured in the Lone Star State, where the twister left buildings collapsed and entire neighborhoods without roofs. In Oklahoma, a violent tornado damaged approximately 40 homes but, remarkably, caused no fatalities. The storm system then moved east, contributing to deadly flash flooding in Texas that claimed at least one life, according to local authorities. Meanwhile, in Florida, two people died amid strong winds and extremely rough ocean conditions, as rip currents and high surf pounded the coastline.

Kenya's deadly rainy season and other global weather extremes

Beyond the United States, severe weather has struck other parts of the world. Kenya's ongoing rainy season turned deadly again, with 18 people killed and 54,000 households affected over the past week alone. The heavy rains have triggered landslides and flooding, compounding the humanitarian crisis in the East African nation. In Missouri, a hailstorm at a zoo killed an emu, canceled flights, and damaged hundreds of vehicles, illustrating the wide-ranging impacts of severe weather. The storm also disrupted air travel, stranding passengers and causing significant property damage.

Georgia wildfires slowed by rain, but new blazes emerge

Heavy weekend rainfall provided a temporary reprieve for firefighters battling two sprawling wildfires in Georgia, slowing their advance even as new blazes ignited elsewhere. The downpours helped contain the flames but also raised concerns about potential flooding in burned areas, where scorched earth can lead to mudslides. Fire officials continue to monitor the situation, as dry conditions and gusty winds could reignite the fires once the rain subsides. The region remains under a heightened fire risk due to debris from past hurricanes fueling the blazes, a phenomenon linked to climate change.

Sports schedules disrupted as wet weather moves north

The storm system's reach extended into the Midwest, where expected wet weather forced Major League Baseball to move up start times for games between the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds, and the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox. The early starts aimed to avoid the worst of the downpours, which have already flooded streets and stranded commuters in several Midwestern cities. Fast-moving storms battered the region, causing flash flooding that inundated roads and disrupted evening travel. Authorities urged residents to avoid driving through flooded areas and to stay indoors until the storms passed.

Looking ahead: More severe weather threatens South and Midwest

Meteorologists warn that the dangerous weather pattern is far from over. The same storm system is expected to continue threatening the South and Midwest with additional tornadoes, damaging winds, and heavy rainfall in the coming days. Forecast models show a high probability of severe thunderstorms across a broad swath of the country, from Texas to the Great Lakes. Residents in affected areas are advised to remain vigilant, have multiple ways to receive warnings, and prepare for possible power outages and travel disruptions. The National Weather Service has issued watches and warnings for several states, urging people to take shelter immediately if a tornado warning is issued.

Climate context: Extreme weather events on the rise

The recent spate of deadly storms fits into a broader pattern of increasing extreme weather events linked to climate change. Scientists have noted that warmer temperatures can intensify rainfall, making flash floods more likely, while changing atmospheric conditions may contribute to more frequent and powerful tornadoes. In addition, the global water crisis and stress on water resources are exacerbated by these extreme events, as seen in Kenya and other regions. The intersection of climate change, severe weather, and humanitarian impacts underscores the urgent need for adaptation and resilience measures worldwide.

The bottom line

• A tornado with 120 mph winds hit a small Texas city, flattening buildings and tearing roofs; at least 2 injured.
• Two people died in Florida due to strong winds and rough ocean conditions; Oklahoma tornado damaged 40 homes but no fatalities.
• Kenya's rainy season killed 18 and affected 54,000 households in one week; Missouri hailstorm killed an emu and damaged vehicles.
• Heavy rain slowed Georgia wildfires but new blazes started; debris from hurricanes is fueling Southern wildfires.
• MLB games in Chicago and Detroit had start times moved up due to wet weather; Midwest storms flooded streets and stranded commuters.
• More severe weather threatens the South and Midwest; climate change is intensifying extreme weather events globally.