US: Adverse weather forecast to continue across southern and central regions through at least early May 27 /update 2

Severe weather is forecast to continue across parts of the southern and central US through at least early May 27. Thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are forecast across the plains and into the east-central US over the coming days. Strong winds, lightning, hail, and possible tornadoes may accompany storms. Heavy downpours may trigger flooding in low-lying areas, especially in areas where river levels are high and the ground is saturated from previous heavy rainfall. Strong winds may cause property damage and power outages.

As of May 23, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued flood watches for parts of northeastern Texas, southeastern Oklahoma, and western Arkansas. Flood warnings, watches, and advisories are in place for several rivers across the affected area. Authorities will likely issue new alerts or update/rescind existing advisories over the coming days.

The NWS's Storm Prediction Center has warned of an enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms (the middle level on a five-tier scale) across parts of northern Kansas, central, southern, and southeastern Nebraska, southwestern Iowa, and far northwestern Missouri, and a slight risk of severe storms for a wide area from northeastern Texas and northern Louisiana northward across the plains to southern North Dakota May 23-early May 24. There is a slight risk of severe storms for a wide area from northeastern Texas northeastward to southeastern Wisconsin and the southwestern Upper Peninsula of Michigan May 24-early May 25. There is a further enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms for parts of northern Texas, central and eastern Oklahoma, and east-central and southern Kansas and a slight risk for surrounding areas of the central and southern plains May 25-early May 26. There is a further threat of severe weather for the Ozarks, mid-Mississippi Valey, lower Ohio Valley, and Tennessee Valley may 26-early May 27.

The NWS's Weather Prediction Center has warned of a slight risk of excessive rainfall (the second lowest level on a four-tier scale) for parts of northeastern Texas, far southeastern Oklahoma, northern Louisiana, eastern and southern Arkansas, northern and western Mississippi. and western Tennessee May 23-early May 24. There is a further slight risk of excessive rainfall for parts of northeastern Oklahoma, eastern Kansas, southwestern and western Missouri, and far northwestern Arkansas May 25-early May 26.

Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, streams, and creeks. Urban flooding is also possible in developed areas with easily overwhelmed or a lack of stormwater drainage systems. Sites downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Landslides are possible in hilly or mountainous areas, especially where heavy rain has saturated the soil. Disruptions to electricity and telecommunications services are possible where significant flooding, strong winds, or landslides impact utility networks.

Floodwaters and debris flows may render some bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around affected areas. Ponding on road surfaces could cause hazardous driving conditions on regional highways. Authorities could temporarily close some low-lying routes that become inundated by floodwaters. Severe weather could also trigger flight delays and cancellations at airports in the affected regions.

Localized business disruptions may occur in low-lying areas; some businesses might not operate at full capacity because of flood damage to facilities and some employees' inability to reach work sites.