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  • Hurricane Alberto floods Texas coast and Biden’s dispute preparation: Early morning Rundown

    Hurricane Alberto floods Texas coast and Biden’s dispute preparation: Early morning Rundown

    The very first called storm of the cyclone season knocks Texas and Mexico. A misleading video of President Biden goes viral on huge platforms in spite of fact-checks. And the world’s earliest white wine has an odd taste.

    Here’s what to understand today.

    Very first hurricane of cyclone season triggers flooding in Texas

    Storm Alberto, the first named tropical storm of the hurricane season, was located approximately 305 miles south-southeast of Brownsville, Texas and formed earlier today in the Southwestern Gulf of Mexico.  (Brandon Bell / Getty Images)

    Storm Alberto, the very first called hurricane of the cyclone season, lay roughly 305 miles south-southeast of Brownsville, Texas and formed earlier today in the Southwestern Gulf of Mexico. (Brandon Bell / Getty Images)

    Hurricane Alberto, the very first called storm of the cyclone season, has actually enhanced a little as it comes close to making landfall today on Mexico’s Gulf coast, threatening rains of as much as 20 inches there, along with flooding and heavy rain in Texas, authorities stated. The storm is big, with winds of hurricane force extending out 460 miles.

    A hurricane caution is in result for the northeastern coast of Mexico, along with the Texas coast from the mouth of the Rio Grande as much as San Luis Pass, which is near Houston. High winds and as much as 10 to 15 inches of rain are anticipated in Corpus Christi.

    Gov. Greg Abbott provided a catastrophe statement for 51 Texas counties “to make sure Texans and at-risk areas have the resources and workers required to react to this storm,” he stated in a declaration.

    The National Weather condition Service stated moderate seaside flooding was observed throughout the Texas Gulf coast. 

    How Biden is preparing yourself for his very first dispute with Trump

    Donald Trump and Joe Biden. (Julio Cortez / AP)Donald Trump and Joe Biden. (Julio Cortez / AP)

    Donald Trump and Joe Biden. (Julio Cortez / AP)

    There has actually been a pattern of incumbent presidents losing or carrying out badly in their very first re-election dispute, one that Biden wants to buck when he and previous President Donald Trump square off next week in Atlanta.

    Jimmy Carter in 1980, George W. Bush in 2004 and Barack Obama in 2012 were viewed to have actually failed in the very first dispute with their challengers, showed in public viewpoint surveys. “Every president believes, ‘I understand how to run a governmental project due to the fact that I won one a couple of years earlier,’” stated Samuel Popkin, who played Ronald Reagan throughout Carter’s preparations.

    The very first Biden-Trump dispute holds a unique location in history, not just due to the fact that of its extraordinary early date, however likewise due to the fact that it will be the very first time that 2 prospects who have actually held the Oval Workplace will take on.

    The Biden project has actually previewed the president’s dispute preparation by keeping in mind that Biden “has actually gotten significantly punchier in current remarks about Trump and prepares to bring that style through to the dispute.”

    Household of taekwondo trainers conserves Texas lady from sexual attack

    Family of taekwondo instructors saves Texas woman from sexual assault. (@SheriffEd_HCSO via X)Family of taekwondo instructors saves Texas woman from sexual assault. (@SheriffEd_HCSO via X)

    Household of taekwondo trainers conserves Texas lady from sexual attack. (@SheriffEd_HCSO by means of X)

    The piercing scream, like a noise from a scary movie, activated taekwondo trainer Simon An to make use of his years of martial arts training.

    Simon and his mom, dad, sibling and bro, each with a fourth-degree black belt, run the Yong-in Taekwondo dojo in Katy, outdoors Houston. They at first overlooked the noises, presuming they originated from staff members messing around in their break space. However then a piercing “last scream” triggered the household into action, An said.

    He and his household went to the shop and opened a door. There they discovered a male on top of a girl with his hands “in [in]proper locations” as she tried to fend him off, An said. An’s dad, Hong, tugged the opponent away by his t-shirt and pinned him to the ground. An’s sibling, Hannah, got the lady and hurried her out of the space while An and his bro assisted suppress the opponent.

    The Harris County Constable’s Department has actually credited An and his household with conserving the girl from a sexual attack. “By using their training and discipline, they handled to stop the attack and hold him,” Constable Ed Gonzalez stated in a series of posts on X.

    New Louisiana law needs 10 Rules to be shown in public school class

    A display screen of the 10 Rules in “big, quickly understandable typeface” will be needed in Louisiana public class under a costs signed into law by Republican politician Gov. Jeff Landry on Wednesday.

    The law explains the 10 Rules as “fundamental files of our state and nationwide federal government.” The screens will be coupled with a declaration explaining how the 10 Rules “were a feature of American public education for practically 3 centuries,” and need to remain in location in class by the start of 2025.

    Civil liberties groups revealed that they prepared to challenge the Louisiana law in court, stating it “breaks the separation of church and state and is blatantly unconstitutional.”

    World’s earliest white wine was found — with an unanticipated additional component

    Archaelogists in southern Spain have uncovered what is believed to be the oldest liquid wine in the world. (Juan Manuel Román / Journal of Archaeological Science)Archaelogists in southern Spain have uncovered what is believed to be the oldest liquid wine in the world. (Juan Manuel Román / Journal of Archaeological Science)

    Archaelogists in southern Spain have actually discovered what is thought to be the earliest liquid white wine worldwide. (Juan Manuel Román / Journal of Archaeological Science)

    The world’s earliest white wine was found at a Roman burial website in Spain, and something is clear — it absolutely had body.

    For approximately 2,000 years, the white wine has actually been kept in a glass funeral urn together with the cremated ashes of a male and a gold ring inside an ancient mausoleum, according to brand-new analysis by a group of researchers.

    The burial place’s “preservation conditions were remarkable; completely undamaged and well-sealed,” among the report’s authors stated, including that this had “enabled the white wine to keep its natural state” centuries later on.

    Politics in Short

    Soccer advertisement blitz: The Biden project is intending to reach countless Latino citizens viewing the Copa América soccer competition with a 30-second area airing in swing states.

    Viral video: Deceptive videos and incorrect claims that Biden strayed aimlessly from the G7 conference continued to go viral on Google, X and other Huge Tech platforms in spite of debunkings and reality checks.

    Desired more politics news? Register For From the Politics Desk to get unique reporting and analysis provided to your inbox every weekday night. Subscribe here.

    Personnel choice: Ukraine’s second city eliminated by Biden’s shift on U.S. weapons

    A woman passes a bus in central Kharkiv on June 12, 2024. Behind, the Kharkiv city hall displays a banner reading A woman passes a bus in central Kharkiv on June 12, 2024. Behind, the Kharkiv city hall displays a banner reading

    A female passes a bus in main Kharkiv on June 12, 2024. Behind, the Kharkiv town hall shows a banner reading

    Previously this year, Russian forces advanced in the northeast of Ukraine as assistance for Kyiv had actually started to fluctuate in Washington, with the Biden administration an only holdout amongst the nation’s allies in not approving making use of Western-supplied weapons in Russian area. However that altered at the end of last month, when the president covertly made a U-turn. That shift has actually enabled Ukrainian systems to begin pressing back versus Moscow’s soldiers and it’s likewise accompanied the start of summertime.

    With the weather condition heating up and the skies now clearer over Kharkiv — Ukraine’s young, imaginative 2nd city — lots of locals have the ability to breathe, perform some repair work and even take pleasure in a journey to the beach. For others, however, the regular whine of air raid sirens and the staying risk of barrage are a consistent concern.

    NBC News’ Yuliya Talmazan records the state of mind as residents balance relative calm versus the background of a long war.— David Hodari, editor

    NBC Select: Online Shopping, Simplified

    Summer Season is here, which suggests cookouts while your preferred music plays. NBC Select editors evaluated a variety of Bluetooth speakers for the celebration, and they’ve shared their favorites, together with recommendations on what to try to find when purchasing a brand-new one. Plus, they put together a list of 7 of the very best soundbars to improve your post-dinner film nights.

    Register to The Choice newsletter for hands-on item evaluations, specialist shopping ideas and a take a look at the very best offers and sales weekly.

    Thanks for checking out the Early morning Rundown. Today’s newsletter was curated for you by Josh Feldman. If you’re a fan, please forward it to your friends and family. They can register here.

    This short article was initially released on NBCNews.com

  • Did you miss the northern lights, Boise? New forecast says South Idaho has another shot

    Did you miss the northern lights, Boise? New forecast says South Idaho has another shot

    Idahoans kicking themselves for missing the spectacle of the overnight light show brought by the aurora borealis Friday into Saturday appear as though they’ll be treated with a second chance.

    Saturday afternoon forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center indicate a second coming in and around the Gem State, including around the Treasure Valley.

    Friday evening already marked the first Severe Geomagnetic Storm Watch since 2005. The agency now expects those similar rare weather event conditions to continue into Sunday. And if late Saturday’s display is anything like it was late Friday, South Idaho is in for another unforgettable experience, if not once-in-a-generation.

    “The historic geomagnetic storm continues …” NOAA wrote in a Saturday afternoon post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

    The northern lights appear north of Lucky Peak State Park near Boise, Friday, May 10, 2024. The phenomenon was made possible by a large solar storm interacting with the Earth’s magnetic field, creating glowing atmospheric gases.

    The northern lights appear north of Lucky Peak State Park near Boise, Friday, May 10, 2024. The phenomenon was made possible by a large solar storm interacting with the Earth’s magnetic field, creating glowing atmospheric gases.

    Weather conditions should be similar to Friday into early Saturday, David Groenert, a meteorologist with the Boise office of the National Weather Service, told the Statesman by phone. Overnight temperatures into Sunday may even be a tad warmer, he said.

    “It should be the same as last night, not any cloud cover for tonight, so clear skies,” Groenert said. “The skies shouldn’t be an issue, just a matter if they show up. … It peaked around midnight to 2 a.m. (Saturday), and, in that case, it will still be in the low-60s in Boise, and Bogus Basin will be around 50 degrees.”

    Recommendations are to get to areas of the region with low light pollution for the show. Around midnight and after may again prove to be the sweet spot for the skyward exhibition.

    Get your popcorn and cameras ready.

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  • Want to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights in Kentucky this weekend? Here’s how.

    Want to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights in Kentucky this weekend? Here’s how.

    Kentuckians from one end of the state to the other checked off what for many was a bucket list item Friday night, as the Northern Lights lit up the sky with color.

    For those who missed the show, there may be a second chance to see the aurora borealis Saturday night or Sunday night, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center.

    Philomon Geertson, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Jackson, said those who want to catch a glimpse of the aurora will have the best chances if they get as far from city lights and other artificial light sources as possible.

    He said it’s also helpful to have an open view to the north, and those who live in valleys would want to try to seek a spot with higher elevations.

    “The higher you are and the more open your view is, the better,” Geertson said Saturday afternoon.

    While skies were somewhat overcast at times Saturday, Geertson said the clouds would clear out across most of the area to give a good view of the sky by nightfall.

    Solar flares and coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, from a region of active spots on the sun are causing what the Space Weather Prediction Center says are very rare “Severe-Extreme” geomagnetic storms.

    These storms causing the aurora borealis to show up much farther south than is typical, and the center said “there have been reports of power grid irregularities and degradation to high-frequency communications and GPS.”

    The center said Saturday that “another series of CMEs associated with flare activity … are expected to merge and arrive at Earth by midday” Sunday, making more periods of geomagnetic storms likely.

    Because of that, the center said the aurora borealis might be visible “over much of the northern half of the country and maybe as far south as Alabama.”

    Geertson said Friday night’s lights were most visible from around 9 p.m. to midnight.

    “The threat of additional strong flares and CMEs will remain until the large and magnetically strong sunspot cluster … rotates out of view over the next several days,” the center said Saturday.

    The last time there was a geomagnetic storm of this magnitude was in October 2003, Geertson said.

    Social media was awash in colorful images people captured during the light show Friday night. Many users mentioned that it was easier to see the lights while viewing them through their phone cameras.

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  • Deadly thunderstorms and strong winds in Florida leave destruction in their wake

    Deadly thunderstorms and strong winds in Florida leave destruction in their wake

    Deadly thunderstorms and strong winds have left a path of destruction following a week of severe weather in Florida.

    Cities like Jacksonville and Tallahassee saw multiple thunderstorms over this past week, with residents sharing pictures of downed trees and damage to their homes and cars.

    Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes brought havoc to the Southeast this week, where at least four people died as a result. In Florida, one woman was killed after a tree fell on her home in Leon County, according to the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.

    Tornadoes are suspected to have hit three Florida counties: Walton, Gadsden and Leon. The National Weather Service field office in Tallahassee sent crews to survey the damage Saturday.

    Strong winds were also recorded across the state, including gusts of up to 73 mph in Jacksonville and 71 mph in Lake City, according to the National Weather Service Jacksonville field office.

    Damage to Railroad Square Art District. (City of Tallahassee)

    Damage to Railroad Square Art District. (City of Tallahassee)

    More than 97,500 utility customers do not have power in the state as of 11 a.m. E.T. Saturday.

    The heavy rain is forecasted to continue for parts of the South and Southeast until Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

    “Another round of widespread showers and thunderstorms will develop on Sunday, and the threat of heavy rainfall will increase as warm Gulf air moves into the region,” the National Weather Service said in an update.

    Flash flooding will also be possible, especially in areas where soil is still damp following earlier rain.

    Utility crews work to remove broken poles and power lines. (Phil Sears / AP)Utility crews work to remove broken poles and power lines. (Phil Sears / AP)

    Utility crews work to remove broken poles and power lines. (Phil Sears / AP)

    Early next week, the storm system is expected to push east across the Lower Mississippi Valley towards the Southeast, and the heavy rainfall will impact the northern Gulf Coast states.

    This article was originally published on NBCNews.com



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  • Heat risk forecast for the Sacramento Valley this weekend. How high will temps rise?

    Heat risk forecast for the Sacramento Valley this weekend. How high will temps rise?

    If you’re planning to spend some time outdoors this weekend, be prepared for potential heat risk in the Sacramento Valley.

    As temperatures continue to trend up, there will be areas of moderate heat risk across Northern California from Saturday to Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

    “Plan ahead for warmer weather, especially for the vulnerable populations,” the weather service said on X, formerly called Twitter.

    Here’s what to expect in Sacramento and who might be vulnerable during these hot weather conditions:

    What does heat risk mean?

    The heat risk scale, or the NWS HeatRisk Prototype, provides a forecast that shows the likelihood of heat-related problems occurring.

    From little or no risk (0) to extreme risk (4), the scale calculates how hot it is compared to normal, how long the heat lasts and if it’s likely to cause health issues based on data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    This weekend’s heat risk will range from minor (1) to moderate (2).

    “This level of heat affects most individuals sensitive to heat, especially those without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration,” the National Weather Service said on X.

    Who’s at risk?

    Vulnerable individuals include those who are pregnant, newborns, children, older adults and those with a chronic illness. These groups are more at risk due to age and conditions that make it difficult to regulate high temperatures.

    To stay safe in the heat, the National Weather Service said the following:

    What’s in the weather forecast for Sacramento this weekend?

    This weekend’s weather forecast shows clear and sunny skies across Sacramento.

    On Saturday, the heat risk will be moderate. The high will be near 93 degrees and the low will be around 59. Expect light and variable winds, ranging from 5 to 7 mph, in the evening.

    The wind will continue on Sunday at around 7 mph. With minor heat risk, temperatures will see a high around 91 and a low around 57 degrees.

    The sun sinks lower in the sky past the Tower Bridge in downtown Sacramento on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022.

    The sun sinks lower in the sky past the Tower Bridge in downtown Sacramento on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022.

    What’s next for Sacramento weather?

    Next week, the weather forecast shows more clear and sunny skies.

    Monday’s heat risk is minor, with a temperatures high of 88 degrees and a low near 56.

    On Tuesday and Wednesday, high temperatures will be in the 90s and low temperatures will be in the 50s. The heat risk will be moderate.

    What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com.



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  • How hot will Miami feel during Mother’s Day weekend? Heat index forecast in the 100s

    How hot will Miami feel during Mother’s Day weekend? Heat index forecast in the 100s

    Mother’s Day is fast approaching.

    You’re probably buying flowers, gifts and making plans to celebrate the mothers in your family this weekend.

    But will South Florida feel too hot to spend time dining outdoors or on the beach?

    Here’s the weather forecast for Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.

    Beachgoers sunbathe at Las Olas Beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Saturday, May 30, 2020.

    Beachgoers sunbathe at Las Olas Beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Saturday, May 30, 2020.

    Heat index in the 100s

    The heat index is what the temperature feels like to people when humidity is combined with air temperature. When humidity is high, our bodies have a harder time to cool off.

    National Weather Service forecasters expect increasingly high heat indices — slightly lowering Sunday.

    Take a look a this weekend’s feel-like temperatures:

    Friday: Miami (98F), Fort Lauderdale (96F) and West Palm Beach (99F)

    Saturday: Miami (103F), Fort Lauderdale (101F) and West Palm Beach (101F)

    Sunday: Miami (94F), Fort Lauderdale (93F) and West Palm Beach (96F)

    South Florida’s western suburbs, forecasters say, could have a maximum heat index of 105F.

    Aaron McElwain, 13, drinks some water after riding his scooter at Haulover Skateboard Park on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Miami Beach, Fla. Miami-Dade County issued a heat advisory for residents after the National Weather Service estimated the heat index would reach between 105 and 108 degrees.Aaron McElwain, 13, drinks some water after riding his scooter at Haulover Skateboard Park on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Miami Beach, Fla. Miami-Dade County issued a heat advisory for residents after the National Weather Service estimated the heat index would reach between 105 and 108 degrees.

    Aaron McElwain, 13, drinks some water after riding his scooter at Haulover Skateboard Park on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Miami Beach, Fla. Miami-Dade County issued a heat advisory for residents after the National Weather Service estimated the heat index would reach between 105 and 108 degrees.

    How to avoid heat exhaustion, strokes

    With the warming trend and prolonged exposure to the elements, comes an increased risk of heat exhaustion and illness, the National Weather Service said. It happens when the body experiences an excessive loss of water and salt through sweating.

    The likeliness of experiencing heat exhaustion increases Saturday, particularly in the western suburbs.

    Sunday’s lower humidity levels should help lower these risks, but people should continue to exercise caution.

    Here are some of the symptoms caused by heat exhaustion:

    Heavy sweating

    Cold, pale and clammy skin

    Fast or weak pulse

    Nausea, vomiting or dizziness

    Muscle cramps

    Feeling tired or weak

    Headache

    Fainting

    If someone is experiencing heat exhaustion, they must move to a cool place, sip water and put cool and wet cloths on their body. If they throw up of if symptoms last over an hour, call 911.

    Heat strokes happen when the body’s temperature increases rapidly and can no longer be controlled.

    Heat stroke symptoms also include:

    Body temperature of 103F or higher

    Hot, red, dry or damp skin

    Fast, strong pulse

    When suffering from a heatstroke, always call 911.

    For a full list of symptoms and recommendations, visit cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html.

    Despite the rainy weather condition, a shopper makes use of an umbrella as she heads to her car after shopping at Walmart in Pembroke Pines, Florida on Wednesday, December 13, 2023.Despite the rainy weather condition, a shopper makes use of an umbrella as she heads to her car after shopping at Walmart in Pembroke Pines, Florida on Wednesday, December 13, 2023.

    Despite the rainy weather condition, a shopper makes use of an umbrella as she heads to her car after shopping at Walmart in Pembroke Pines, Florida on Wednesday, December 13, 2023.

    Will it rain?

    South Florida’s rain chances will remain under 20% Friday but scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms are expected Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

    Saturday’s rain chances:

    Miami: 31%

    Fort Lauderdale: 34%

    West Palm Beach: 37%

    Rain chances are expected to go under 20% on Sunday.

    Rainfall as much as a quarter of an inch is forecast for Broward and Palm Beach counties through Sunday.

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  • National Weather Service issued rare ‘tornado emergency.’ It may have saved lives.

    National Weather Service issued rare ‘tornado emergency.’ It may have saved lives.

    The National Weather Service — created to protect Americans by forecasting “acts of God” — is an agency that people often love to hate, especially when they plan their day around forecasts and they are wrong.

    It can be challenging to outwit God.

    And even when the agency’s predictions are right, folks often want to blame the messenger.

    But Tuesday, the agency got lots of kudos for doing the very thing that it was designed to do: save lives.

    Several public safety officials said that by issuing the most dire tornado alert, “tornado emergency,” the agency was able to give residents in the path of a potentially deadly tornado — a 300-yard wide twister, swirling at 135 mph — the chance to get to safety.

    Tornado damage at Pavilion Estates mobile home community in Kalamazoo on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

    Tornado damage at Pavilion Estates mobile home community in Kalamazoo on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

    More: After tornadoes tear through west Michigan, emergency workers search through wreckage

    While Tuesday’s tornadoes caused much property destruction, mostly in Kalamazoo County, where nearly 200 homes and a FedEx facility were wrecked, officials said Wednesday, there were no serious injuries or loss of life.

    Still, to be clear, Bob Dukesherer, the senior forecaster for the weather service in Grand Rapids, told the Free Press that the public shouldn’t stop paying attention to tornado warnings, which also mean, get to safety right away.

    “There isn’t like this new magic level that you should take cover when it’s issued,” he said. “You should take cover when any tornado warning is issued. The tornado emergency is just when we see a tornado bearing down on a city and we know it’s on the ground.”

    Why issue a tornado emergency?

    When it comes to weather, the different alert levels can be confusing.

    With a tornado, which can form almost instantly and move on a path of destruction before you realize it, there’s a tornado watch, which, weather watchers hope, give you a little time to prepare. And then there’s a warning, which means, get to safety.

    A tornado emergency indicates even more urgency, that a tornado has been spotted and catastrophic damage is imminent, with a dangerous, perhaps deadly, twister headed toward a community. In short, it’s like adding an exclamation point to a sentence. It means: Get to safety, now!

    Tornado damage at a strip mall in Portage on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.Tornado damage at a strip mall in Portage on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

    Tornado damage at a strip mall in Portage on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

    It has been issued in other states, but not Michigan, in part, meteorologists said, because it is relatively new, but also because, usually, when there are tornadoes, radar has suggested they aren’t in the path of a city or will be relatively weak.

    Most Michigan tornadoes, the weather service said, tend to be an EF0 or EF1. That’s scientific shorthand for the tornado’s intensity and destructive power as measured on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, a way to measure a tornado’s strength from 0-5 based on several factors introduced in the 1970s by Ted Fujita.

    Tuesday, the forecasters said, all indications were that a storm was coming and headed toward a populated area, where, in this case, people were living in hundreds of mobile homes, one of the more vulnerable structures to be in when a tornado hits.

    A rare but effective alert

    Weather service meteorologists in Michigan said they weren’t sure when the first tornado emergency was issued nationally. It goes back at least to 1999, when a super strong tornado struck communities just south of Oklahoma City.

    Since then, it has been issued sparingly.

    But it might be important to someone living in a mobile home or a house without a basement — structures that are especially vulnerable to tornadoes because they can be ripped apart — because a few minutes of warning can make all the difference.

    In Pavilion Township, where 3,000 people live in the Pavilion Estates Mobile Home Community, safety officials said warning certainly helped.

    By Thursday, weather service officials determined, three tornadoes touched down in Michigan. There was an EF2 tornado in Kalamazoo County, which went about 11 miles, and, if it were spinning just 1 mph faster, it would have been classified an EF3.

    One tornado was in St. Joseph and Branch counties, classified as an EF1, spinning 95 mph for 1 mile and 100 yards wide, and the other was in Cass County, also an EF1, spinning 95 mph, but going for 11 miles and at 950 yards was was widest of the three.

    “We don’t like to see tornadoes, but it’s why we do what we do,” Dukesherer  said. “We’re in the business of trying to save lives. When we hit the button on a warning it goes out in a multitude of ways. And when a tornado warning is issued, people need to take cover.”

    Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.

    This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan tornado emergency: What National Weather Service alert means

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  • Major storms continue across the country following devastating overnight tornadoes in Michigan

    Major storms continue across the country following devastating overnight tornadoes in Michigan

    Damaging winds, large hail and possible tornadoes continue to threaten parts the country from Texas to the mid-Atlantic through Thursday.

    More than 50 million people Wednesday are at risk of multiple rounds of storms.

    Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear cautioned residents to “remain alert” as severe weather moves across the state.

    “Multiple rounds of heavy rain, damaging winds and large hail are expected, with tornadoes possible. Listen to your local weather and take shelter if advised. Stay safe!” he posted on X.

    In Little Rock, Arkansas, storms are expected to begin Wednesday evening.

    An empty car is caught in high flood waters in the rain (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

    An empty car is caught in high flood waters in the rain (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

    “This round will impact nearly the entire state. Remember to have multiple ways of receiving warnings as most of this event will be nocturnal,” the National Weather Service for Little Rock said.

    The weather service for Raleigh, North Carolina, said the central part of the state could see strong storms with the first round set to begin Wednesday afternoon and early into the evening.

    A second round of storms is expected overnight into Thursday morning. The agency said in a post on X that the main threats will be large hail and strong, damaging winds but that “an isolated tornado can’t be ruled out.”

    The severe weather follows devastating overnight tornadoes in Michigan.

    The city of Portage, about 100 miles west of Ann Arbor, was hit with two tornadoes, Mayor Patricia M. Randall said in a statement. One ripped off the side of a FedEx facility, trapping about 50 workers, Kalamazoo County spokesperson Taylor Koopman said.

    The Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday that all workers had been safely rescued from the building.

    A tornado also destroyed entire residences at the Pavilion Estates Mobile Home Park in Kalamazoo County, Koopman said. About 20 people were injured, according to the sheriff’s office.

    Portage city officials said there were no reports of fatalities or serious injuries but that many people have lost their homes. A local state of emergency was declared in the county following significant damage left in the tornado’s wake.

    Wednesday’s storm system is expected to trigger flash flooding. As many as 7 million people throughout the Tennessee Valley and the Ohio Valley region are under flood alerts through Thursday morning, with the possibility of 1 to 3 inches of rain. Cities including Nashville, Tennessee; Lexington, Kentucky; and Charleston, South Carolina, could see localized flash flooding.

    Other cities including Bowling Green and Paducah, Kentucky, and Clarksville and Knoxville, Tennessee, are under a moderate flood threat.

    Parts of Texas could also see severe storms Wednesday evening and night, including very large hail and damaging winds, according to the weather service in Fort Worth.

    On Thursday, 60 million people from the mid-Atlantic to the central and eastern parts of Texas could be hit with very large hail and possible isolated tornadoes.

    The Midwest has been subject to a highly active weather pattern since April 1, thanks to an active jet stream pattern that has both fueled the storm systems as well as steered them across the country. April and May are generally the peak months for severe weather.

    This article was originally published on NBCNews.com



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  • Showers, thunderstorms sweep across Kansas City prompting severe thunderstorm warnings

    Showers, thunderstorms sweep across Kansas City prompting severe thunderstorm warnings

    Showers and powerful thunderstorms swept through the Kansas City area Wednesday morning, prompting the National Weather Service to issue severe weather alerts.

    The weather service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Kansas City and surrounding counties that is in effect until 2 p.m.

    The weather service also issued a severe thunderstorm warning for eastern Wyandotte County, northeastern Johnson County and northern Jackson County. The warning is in effect until 7:30 a.m.

    Shortly before 7 a.m., a severe thunderstorm was located over Overland Park, moving northeast at 55 mph. Winds of 60 mph and quarter-sized hail were the primary threats.

    “Hail damage to vehicles is expected,” the weather service said. “Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.”

    Local Radar Image

    Local Radar Image

    Meanwhile, a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for northwestern Wyandotte County, Clay County, southeastern Platte County and northwestern Jackson County until 7:45 a.m.

    A severe thunderstorm was over downtown Kansas City and Kansas City, Kansas, at about 7:15 a.m. and was moving northeast at 55 mph, the weather service said.

    Golf ball-size hail and 60 mph wind gusts were reported.

    People were advised to “prepare immediately for large hail and deadly cloud-to-ground lightning. Seek shelter inside a well-built structure. Stay away from windows.”

    A severe thunderstorm warning was also issued for the southern part of Kansas City, including southeastern Cass County, northwest Henry County and Johnson County in Missouri, until 7:45 a.m.

    The storms arrived as the Kansas City area was expecting a stormy day. According to the weather service, scattered showers and thunderstorms were expected to pass through the area, primarily south of Interstate 70.

    Additional rounds of storms are expected in the afternoon. Strong to severe storms are possible, primarily to the south and east of the metro area. These storms will be capable of producing very large hail — up to tennis balls — as well as damaging wind gusts and possibly a tornado or two, the weather service said.

    The weather service said more rain is expected on Thursday as an additional round of showers and thunderstorms passes through the area, mainly north of Interstate 70.

    A live data feed from the National Weather Service containing official weather warnings, watches, and advisory statements. Tap warning areas for more details. Sources: NOAA, National Weather Service, NOAA GeoPlatform and Esri.

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  • Michigan tornadoes trap workers in FedEx building, wipe out mobile home park

    Michigan tornadoes trap workers in FedEx building, wipe out mobile home park

    Severe weather that has been uprooting Plains states for weeks turned its attention to Michigan on Tuesday, trapping workers and wiping out a mobile home park, officials said.

    Portage Mayor Patricia M. Randall said in a statement that her city was struck by two tornadoes Tuesday, with no reports of injuries or death so far.

    One of the vortexes ripped off the side of a massive FedEx facility, trapping about 50 workers as first responders hoped to clear live electrical wires blocking their safe exit, Kalamazoo County spokesperson Taylor Koopman said by email.

    “The FedEx building in Portage sustained significant damage and is still an active scene,” she said.

    tornado aftermath damage (Courtesy Jim Morrison)

    tornado aftermath damage (Courtesy Jim Morrison)

    A tornado destroyed entire residences at Pavilion Estates Mobile Home Park in Kalamazoo County, Koopman said. Rescue crews were on-site searching for survivors and those in need of temporary shelter, which was set up at Portage Senior Center, she said.

    Residents were urged to stay put as first responders sort out the situation.

    “We have multiple scenes across the County and heavy damage,” Koopman said. “There are several reports of power outages, wires down, and debris in the roadways. We ask that folks stay off the road if they’re able.”

    More than 32,000 utility customers in Michigan were without power Tuesday night, according to utility tracker PowerOutage.us.

    Imagery of a strip mall barber shop in Portage showed its front ripped away to reveal its interior.

    “Due to downed power lines and trees and possible gas leaks we are urging residents to stay in their homes so first responders can reach those who need assistance,” Randall said.

    The National Weather Service issued a rare tornado emergency statement Tuesday afternoon for an area, including Union City, southwest of Portage.

    A weather service meteorologist said one tornado and most likely one or two others had all but been confirmed Tuesday night, even as the service customarily waits until the next day to send trained crews to the sites of possible tornadoes for confirmation.

    The severe weather since mid-April is the result of waves of cool low-pressure storms moving east from the Pacific Northwest and clashing with the warmer climes of states near the Gulf Coast. The colliding air has produced unsettled weather ripe for tornadoes, flooding and hail.

    There were 19 reported tornadoes in at least seven states Monday.

    The National Weather Service said heavy weather, including possible thunderstorms and flash floods, was in store for many of the same regions for the next couple of days.

    An estimated 53 million people from northeast Texas to Virginia will be in the risk area for severe storms Thursday.

    Portage is about 142 miles west of Detroit.

    This article was originally published on NBCNews.com

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  • Storm-related damage reported across Miami Valley

    Storm-related damage reported across Miami Valley

    Damage has been reported throughout the Miami Valley as severe weather moves through the area.

    >> Share your weather photos & videos with us

    News Center 7 has been tracking the damage as the storms progress.

    Emergency Scanner Traffic and National Weather Service trained spotters indicate the following areas are dealing with storm damage:

    Darke County:

    “The City of Greenville has multiple power lines and trees down blocking City streets. Unless you have an emergency please do not attempt to travel in the City,” the Darke County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management said in a social media post.

    • Multiple trees are down and structural damage has been reported on Knuckerberg Road and Jaysville-St. Johns Road.

    • A tree has reportedly fallen on a house on the 800 block of Wayne Street.

    • Reports of flood damage and trees down on Parkside Drive.

    • Traffic lights are down on E Main Street and Walnut Street.

    • Trees have been reported to be down on Ludlow Street.

    >> PHOTOS: Storm coverage in the Miami Valley

    • Trees are reportedly down and blocking the 2800 block of Ohio Route 502.

    • Damage has been reported to the Greenville High School’s football field.

    • Damage reported to multiple farm buildings on Auld Road.

    • Trees have reportedly fallen on an apartment building in the 300 block of Miami Street.

    • Power lines are reportedly down at Central Avenue, Walker Street, and Pearl Street.

    • Residents are reporting damage on Wagner Ave in Greenville, reports of windows blown out and trees down near Aldi.

    • OHGO is reporting that State Route 49 Northbound is closed in both directions from East 4th Street and East 5th Street in Greenville because of utility line debris in the roadway.

    Warren County:

    • A large tree has reportedly fallen on a house in the 5000 block of Mason Morrow Millgrove Road in Morrow.

    • A tree is reportedly down on a house in the 9000 block of East SR-22 in Washington Township.

    A Greenville police and fire dispatcher told News Center 7 that “there’s a lot of damage right now.”

    >> LIVE UPDATES: Tornado Warnings issued for Miami Valley counties

    The Miami County EMA reports there is no damage in the county at this time.

    The Shelby County EMA reports there is no damage in the county at this time.

    Mercer County:

    • Mercer County EMA has confirmed that damage has been reported near State Route 219 and Burrville Rd.

    • There have been several reports of power lines down and barns down.

    • OHGO is reporting that all lanes on SR 219 Westbound west of State Route 49 by Coldwater are shut down due to debris on the roadway.

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  • Large hail, damaging winds, possible tornadoes could hit Indiana soon. What to expect

    Large hail, damaging winds, possible tornadoes could hit Indiana soon. What to expect

    Two waves of thunderstorms are expected to wash over the Hoosier States beginning Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service in Central Indiana. While the first round of storms is expected to pass through the area beginning at 9 a.m., meteorologists warn it’s the second round of thunderstorms you should keep a watchful eye on.

    Here’s what we know about Tuesday’s weather.

    When could severe weather hit Indiana?

    Local forecasters with NWS issued a Tweet Tuesday morning warning Hoosiers that a “sub-severe” thunderstorm will pass over Central Indiana between 9 a.m. and noon.

    “The second wave is expected to begin around 3 p.m. and continue through 10 p.m., and is the greater concern for severe thunderstorms,” NWS said.

    Thunderstorms hitting Central Indiana late Tuesday could include the potential for strong tornadoes and large to giant hail greater than 2 inches, according to NWS, along with damaging winds.

    The greatest threat for strong tornadoes will be over northern and eastern Indiana, NWS said.

    NWS: Expect thunderstorms May 7, 2024

    Live weather radar for Central Indiana

    How to stay safe during a tornado

    Tornadoes develop rapidly, so planning a safety plan ahead of time is important. The National Weather Service has a preparedness guide for all types of severe weather including tornadoes. Here are some rules for when a tornado strikes:

    • Move to a basement or safe room.

    • If there’s no basement, find a windowless interior room or hallway.

    • Leave mobile homes and find the closest sturdy building.

    • If outside: get into a vehicle, buckle up and drive to a sturdy building.

    Latest weather forecast for Central Indiana, per NWS

    Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 4 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. South southeast wind 8 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

    Tuesday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 11pm. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

    Wednesday: A chance of showers between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. South southwest wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

    Wednesday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 8pm. Low around 62. South wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

    Thursday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. West wind 10 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

    Thursday night: A slight chance of thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Northwest wind 14 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 10%.

    Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Northwest wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

    Friday night: A slight chance of showers before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers after 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. Northwest wind 7 to 11 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

    Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. West wind 11 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

    Saturday night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

    Others are reading: Three feet — not inches — of hail reported in Texas storm. Has it ever happened in Indiana?

    John Tufts covers trending news for the Indianapolis Star. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com. Follow him on X at @JTuftsReports.

    This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Weather forecast May 7, 2024 in Indiana calls for severe thunderstorms



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  • Severe storms could bring strong winds, heavy rain to Kansas City metro. When will they begin?

    Severe storms could bring strong winds, heavy rain to Kansas City metro. When will they begin?

    Severe weather is expected to hit the Kansas City metro area Monday night, bringing hours of thunderstorms and strong winds.

    Meteorologists predict the line of storms will develop from the west and also hit central Kansas in the afternoon, bringing large hail and tornadoes.

    As the storms move east into the Kansas City metro, thunderstorms and strong winds, with gusts as high as 70 to 75 mph, could begin around 9 p.m. and last until midnight in the metro area, according to the National Weather Service.

    Some hail between the size of a quarter and a half dollar is possible throughout the metro. Small tornadoes are also possible as storms move through.

    The storms are expected to bring heavy rain and strong thunder and lightning. About an inch of rain is expected across the metro area, with up to an inch and a half possible in some areas, which could cause minor flooding concerns.

    Metro area residents should remain weather aware as the storms move through the area and check online for updates and warnings as needed.



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  • Flood watch extended for Houston as more heavy rain is expected throughout weekend

    Flood watch extended for Houston as more heavy rain is expected throughout weekend

    A flood watch has been extended into Sunday for Houston following catastrophic flooding that turned backyards and streets into rivers and prompted water rescues in nearby communities.

    Parts of South Texas, including Harris County, home to Houston, have been hit with heavy rain. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, the county government’s top executive, declared a disaster Thursday as mandatory evacuations were ordered along the East Fork of the San Jacinto River.

    Photos posted on social media by Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez showed streets completely covered as first responders brought residents to safety.

    A firefighter carries a resident evacuated in a boat. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

    A firefighter carries a resident evacuated in a boat. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

    “Heroes,” Gonzalez captioned a series of photos of rescuers carrying small children and dogs.

    The Harris County Sheriff’s Office said it rescued 73 people and 42 animals between Tuesday and Saturday morning. At a news conference on Saturday, Hidalgo said the numbers had increased to 178 people and 122 pets rescued across the county.

    In Montgomery County, Texas, 52 people were rescued from “life-threatening situations” and 338 needed to be evacuated from their homes, said Trey Baxter with the Montgomery County’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. More than 90 animals were also evacuated, he said.

    The American Red Cross was providing aid to residents in Texas and had nine shelters open.

    “Since sheltering operations began we, along with help from our local, county, and state partners, have provided more than 370 overnight stays for nearly 230 residents,” the organization said in a statement Saturday. “As of last night, we had more than 200 people in our care. Our teams are ready to respond should the demand increase.”

    Four million people across the Southern High Plains are at risk for strong to severe thunderstorms Saturday night, including the Texas cities of Austin, Odessa, Lubbock, and Abilene. Hail, a few tornadoes, and damaging wind gusts are all possible.

    Hidalgo said in a video posted Friday night that the water along the East Fork of the San Jacinto River almost completely covered mailboxes in some areas and had reached up to the roofs of homes in others.

    A flood watch had been in effect for Houston until 7 p.m. Friday but was extended into Sunday afternoon, the National Weather Service in Houston said in a post on X. An additional 1 to 3 inches of rain is possible Saturday night into Sunday.

    Cars and the tops of mailboxes submerged in water. (Kirk Sides / Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)Cars and the tops of mailboxes submerged in water. (Kirk Sides / Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

    Cars and the tops of mailboxes submerged in water. (Kirk Sides / Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

    The agency said isolated thunderstorms should be expected but the main focus will be another round of heavy rainfall.

    “Stay weather aware!” the agency wrote. “River flooding continues; stay away from floodwaters!”

    Other parts of the country have also been hit with dangerous weather. Rainfall will extend over parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and east Texas by Sunday with a lower risk for severe weather. About 18 million in this region are under flood alerts.

    In Las Vegas, the National Weather Service issued a High Wind Warning and said possible gusts between 40 to 60 mph are expected.

    The weather led to the cancellation of Usher’s Lovers & Friends Festival on Saturday. The festival said in a post on X that ticketholders who used Front Gate Tickets will receive a refund within 30 days.

    Usher said he was “disappointed” about the cancellation and “was working on something special to express my heartfelt for each and every one of you who continue to support me.”

    On the West Coast, a low-pressure system continues to push onshore, bringing rain, mountain snow, and gusty winds to the region. Wind alerts are in place for 9 million people in the region, including Las Vegas, Reno, Nevada and Santa Barbara, California.

    Northern California to Washington will see heavy rain Saturday. Showers will gradually dip south and east towards the Rockies Saturday night and into Sunday.

    This article was originally published on NBCNews.com



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  • Harris County continues rescue operations as rivers crest above flood levels

    Harris County continues rescue operations as rivers crest above flood levels

    HOUSTON — Despite brief breaks in the weather, much of Southeast Texas will be under a flood watch throughout the weekend, and officials in some communities were preparing for flooding into next week.

    Thousands of Texans have been displaced or under evacuation orders in places such as Polk, Montgomery and Harris counties. Schools and businesses have closed as roads and highways — especially in rural East Texas — were impassable. Emergency officials were comparing the amount of water inundating this region to levels seen during Hurricane Harvey, a Category 4 hurricane that made landfall in Texas in 2017.

    No fatalities were reported as of Saturday morning.

    The Trinity River and the East and West Forks of the San Jacinto River have dangerously risen will continue through the weekend as the accumulating rainfall drained toward the Gulf. Three of the regions reservoirs were at capacity.

    [How Texans can prepare for extreme weather]

    Harris County Flood Control District Meteorologist Jeff Lindner expected ground-level homes along the East Fork of the San Jacinto River to be flooded to the rooftop. He also predicted flooding in areas along the West Fork of the river.

    The Trinity River was meanwhile causing major problems in Polk and Liberty Counties.

    “We’re looking at significant flooding on the rivers,” Lindner said. “This is significantly more serious than what we were dealing with earlier this week.”

    Harris County has rescued hundreds of people and pets as flood waters continue to rise

    May 4, 2024 at 3:50 p.m.

    High waters have flooded Kingwood, a suburb about 30 miles northeast of downtown Houston. Residents have been told to evacuate if possible as water in creeks in streams start to rise.

    The West Fork of the San Jacinto River, which is near the area, has reached its peak at 59 feet (as of 3 p.m.), about 13 feet above flood stage. The river feeds into Lake Houston, a reservoir directly below Kingwood. While the river’s height of the water is expected to taper off later today, Harris County officials say tonight’s heavy rain is expected to bring the threat of more flooding.

    The Associated Press reports seeing game wardens in Kingwood riding airboats through waist-high waters rescuing people and pets who did not evacuate in time.

    During a press conference Saturday Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said county officials had rescued 176 people and 122 pets as of 1 p.m. Hidalgo said rescues had slowed last night, but things could change as the day goes on.

    She was taking an aerial tour with the county’s flood control team to assess the extent of the flood damage.

    “We want to see the magnitude of the impacts so we can plan for recovery. And also just to see how our infrastructure fared in the area,” Hidalgo said during the press conference.

    Houston Mayor John Whitmire went on a separate aerial tour earlier Saturday and shared photos showing sprawls of land under water, extensive flooding on top of roads and water that reached home rooftops.

    More heavy rain is expected tonight, according to the National Weather Service.

    “Houston residents benefit when all levels of government work together,” Whitmire said in a press release. “Together, we will get through these challenges. Let’s go to work.”

    The mayor’s office is offering free transportation services for evacuation. Residents can contact 311 for evacuation transit. In an email he urged residents to plan before they are inundated by high water.

    — Alejandra Martinez

    Here’s how full the rivers in Southeast Texas are

    May 4, 2024 at 11:06 a.m.

    While there’s lull in the heavy rain this morning, isolated to scattered thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening, which may contribute to the ongoing flooding in east Texas.

    Rivers in Southeast Texas are already full.

    The Trinity River’s gauge north of the city of Shepard peaked at 49 feet on Friday. It’s gone down to 48 feet, as of this morning — still 12 feet above flood stage. More storms could continue to drenched the areas of Polk, Montgomery, Liberty and Harris counties as the water travels down waterways. The Trinity River’s water feeds into Lake Livingston.

    The West Fork of the San Jacinto River contributes to Lake Conroe, which then feeds into Lake Houston, as does other runoff. All eventually empty into the Gulf of Mexico. The West Fork of the San Jacinto River is expected to peak at 61 feet, 16 feet above flood stage, on early Sunday morning. The San Jacinto River Authority, an agency that manages Lake Conroe, assured residents on Facebook that operators will strive to gradually reduce water releases from the lake while also protecting the dam’s infrastructure. But added, “operations could change if another storm enters the watershed.”

    The next round of heavy rainfall is expected late tonight into Sunday. Scattered storms are expected to develop early afternoon mainly along I-20 impacting the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Thunderstorms will increase in coverage tonight moving toward west of I-35. Very heavy rainfall may result in some flash flooding overnight across parts of North and Central Texas with a threat for severe weather mainly in the cities of Waco and Killeen. The National Weather Service expects an additional 1 to 3 inches with isolated higher amounts up to 5 inches possible in the Houston/Galveston area.

    If bodies of water swell again it will add to the already filled creeks, rivers and reservoirs. Excessive runoff has also resulted in flooding of low-lying homes and flood prone locations. Southeast Texas and part of North Texas are under a flood watch through 1 p.m. Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. Moderate to major river flooding continues today into next week.

    — Alejandra Martinez

    They lost everything — including their children’s shoes

    May 4, 2024 at 8:20 a.m.

    LIVINGSTON — Clinton Jones looked across the emergency shelter Friday. His children were going stir crazy. His wife, Samantha, and mother-in-law, Lee Farrell, were making the best of the cots and blankets they received from the Red Cross.

    The 27-year-old’s family was one of thousands who fled their Southeast Texas homes as heavy rains saturated land in multiple counties and filled lakes and streams. An unknown total of homes, businesses and other property has been damaged this week by unrelenting storms stretching across Polk, Montgomery, Harris and other counties.

    Thunderstorms will wrack the region throughout Saturday, and showers are likely on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. Conditions along the Trinity River, which runs through Polk County, have become too dangerous for first responders to access, according to Polk County Emergency Management. Flooding has begun to encroach on subdivisions surrounding the lake to the East and West, evacuation crews began making their final calls for people seeking assistance.

    Jones’ family home sat to the south of Lake Livingston, in the river bottoms of Coldspring, the San Jacinto County seat. It was overtaken by water shortly after the family left and Jones found safe harbor for their animals, his neighbors told him.

    “We lost everything,” Jones said. “We lost everything we owned: beds, dressers, clothes, the kid’s toys.”

    Continue reading this article here.

    Why are reservoirs releasing water in flooded communities?

    May 4, 2024 at 8:22 a.m.

    HOUSTON — Southeast Texas is used to heavy spring rains — but the widespread flooding that the region faced this week stands out because of just how much the rivers have risen.

    Back-to-back storms drenched the area that includes Polk, Montgomery, Liberty and Harris counties, causing flash-flooding from heavy rain. That rain also filled creeks, rivers and reservoirs, creating a compounding, dangerous problem of too much water with nowhere to go but back out of the riverbanks.

    Operators for three major reservoirs on rivers in the area have been on high alert as they deal with the slugs of water flowing into the man-made lakes. Part of their job is to calculate how much water to release downstream to protect the dams from failure, which would cause an even worse catastrophe than the swollen rivers.

    Continue reading this article here.

    Southeast Texas officials shore up plans ahead of long weekend of flooding

    May 3, 2024 at 6:14 p.m.

    Local officials were shoring up plans to continue emergency rescue operations, evacuations and sheltering Friday night as meteorologists expect days of continued flooding in multiple Southeast Texas counties.

    Rainfall will ease in southeast Texas, including Polk, Trinity, San Jacinto, Walker, and Grimes counties, but water will likely spill out of the area’s lakes and rivers, causing flooding that will continue into mid-next week, meteorologists said.

    Polk County Judge Sydney Sweeney said the county will monitor the water levels it receives from the Trinity Water Authority, which feeds into Lake Livingston.

    “It will be weeks before we know how much impact the rains had,” Sweeney said. “And it will be years before we recover. But right now, it’s a waiting game.”

    In central Texas, the National Weather Service has extended its flash flood watch warning, anticipating another round of heavy storms. Though it’s unclear where the heaviest rainfall will occur, forecasters expect up to three additional inches of rain starting Saturday night and into Sunday.

    Southeastern Montgomery and northeastern Harris counties are under an aerial flood warning reserved for areas at risk of additional gradual flooding. Meteorologists also said Liberty County is under the same warning.Harris County officials are beginning to prepare for recovery from the rains as they brace for more of it over the weekend, said Brian Murray, the county’s emergency management coordinator.

    “Unfortunately, it’s not the first time we’ve had to do this,” he said.

    Shelters continue to be opened across the region. Harris County residents can check their address at the county’s website.

    — Carlos Nogueras Ramos

    More than 200 rescues efforts in Montgomery County

    May 3, 2024 at 3:01 p.m.

    Montgomery County has dispatched more than 200 water rescues in the last 24 hours, county officials said.

    Neighborhoods in one of the fastest-growing counties in the state were flooded after heavy rain and excess water from Lake Conroe enveloped neighborhoods.

    Officials on Friday were bracing for other portions of the county to be submerged next.

    “The West Fork San Jacinto River has not crested yet and is still expected to rise,” a spokesperson said. “So folks in those low-lying areas need to heed that warning and understand that potential significant flood event is still imminent for them and get the high ground.”

    Montgomery County, which includes Conroe, sits between Polk and Harris counties. The three are among the hardest hit this week.

    — Carlos Nogueras Ramos

    Harris County leader warns: “It’s going to get worse.”

    May 3, 2024 at 12:11 p.m.

    Harris County residents should prepare for an imminent threat to life and property, County Judge Lina Hidalgo said at a news Friday.

    Hidalgo said she has directed the office of emergency management’s response to its highest form of readiness, centralizing the county’s response.

    “The weather is unpredictable, but [the rain] has fallen and it’s on the way,” Hidalgo said. “The threat is coming and it’s going to get worse.”

    Hidalgo, the county’s top elected official, has asked the county’s residents to follow the guidance issued Thursday. Harris County is the third largest county in the U.S. and includes Houston.

    The national weather service said more rain was on the way. Harris County could see up to an inch of more rainfall, which will accumulate on the floods already on the ground.

    — Carlos Nogueras Ramos

    Residents along San Jacinto River East Fork being being rescued from their roofs

    May 3, 2024 at 2:58 p.m.

    Some residents along the San Jacinto River East Fork were being rescued from their roofs, Harris County Judge Lina Hildago posted on social media Friday afternoon.

    In the latest update, Hildago also warned residents in that portion of the county that it was too late to evacuate and that they should be prepared to stay in place for at least two days.

    AP: School bus carrying children northeast of Houston required a rescue

    May 3, 2024 at 1:12 p.m.

    Officials said 26 people and 30 pets have been rescued from flood waters in the Houston area.

    Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said a school bus carrying children northeast of Houston required a rescue after driving near high waters but that everyone on board was safe.

    The Crosby school district said in a statement that the driver of a school bus carrying 27 students stopped his vehicle just before driving into high water. The students exited through a rear door and were taken to their campuses on another bus.

    “I am proud of the quick action of our bus driver,” Crosby school district Superintendent Paula Patterson said in a statement.

    — Associated Press

    Here’s how much rain has fallen in Southeast Texas counties in the last 72 hours

    May 3, 2024 at 11:08 a.m.

    Forecasters expected to see more rainfall on Friday after at least a week of off-and-on rain. This afternoon, a storm is expected to reach Polk County, bringing additional rainfall that meteorologists expected would arrive tonight. The storm will move further west into Walker County, the national weather service said.

    “Normally that rain wouldn’t cause floods,” a meteorologist told The Texas Tribune. “But because of the conditions in the last few days, plus the rivers, the rain will likely worsen the floods.”

    In the last 72 hours, there have been up to 14 inches of rain in Polk County, with the surrounding areas receiving 8-10 inches, the National Weather Service said. Montgomery County has been awash with up to 12 inches of rain. In Harris County, that number ranges from 4-7 inches of rain.

    — Carlos Nogueras Ramos

    “That whole area is covered up in water”: Polk County continues under deluge

    May 3, 2024 at 11:19 a.m.

    East Texas officials upheld mandatory evacuation orders for Polk County residents Friday morning, bracing for floods largely provoked by overflow from the multiple rivers in the region.

    Meteorologists expect a lull in rainfall overnight but said flooding remains a concern because of the abundance of water flowing out of the rivers and creeks, worsening the flood conditions.

    County officials said their focus was to monitor areas surrounding the Trinity River Basin, which they said are prone to exacerbated flooding because of their proximity to the continuing heavy discharges of water. In particular, officials are monitoring excess water flowing out of the Lake Livingston River Dam, which is adjacent to the city of Livingston.

    “That whole area is covered up in water,” said Polk County Judge Sydney Sweeney. “And so some of that water is moving very, very quickly because of the amount of water that’s coming out of the dam. You have pine trees that are underwater.”

    Meteorologists said they expect rainfall to slow by nightfall Friday in East Texas. Most showers are expected to buffet harshly in counties north of Houston, including Montgomery and Harris Counties. Montgomery is the most populous county in the state.

    Flash flood warning for Montgomery County and an early warning for Galveston Bay

    May 3, 2024 at 11:25 a.m.

    Montgomery County should expect more downpours that could bring up to an inch of more rain, the National Weather Service said Friday. A meteorologist with the weather service also said the agency is monitoring areas surrounding Gavelston Bay, south of Houston.

    “We’re also dealing with ongoing river flooding in that area as well, and so the runoff from all this rain we’re getting is going to impact that,” the national weather service said.

    The area received about 5-8 inches of rain within 24 hours. Some areas received up to 12 inches of rain, the Associated Press reported Friday morning.

    County Judge Lina Hidalgo on Thursday issued a disaster declaration for Harris County, which includes Houston, for communities close to the East Fork of the San Jacinto River to Lake Houston. Hidalgo in the declaration said residents should “evacuate as soon as possible” if they are in a place to do so.

    “Residents should either plan to stay where they are for the next two days or leave as soon as possible if they are not prepared to do that,” Hidalgo said in the disaster declaration. That’s in addition to the mandatory evacuations issued for residents near Houston.

    Texas Department of Transportation officials said State Highway 30, north of Montgomery County, was closed due to severe weather conditions on Thursday.



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  • Another weekend of temperature drops, rain projected for Fresno. What we can expect

    Another weekend of temperature drops, rain projected for Fresno. What we can expect

    So far, it’s been a wild Spring in Fresno, marked by big swings in weather.

    Case in point, temperatures were seasonally warm on Thursday and Friday (four to seven degrees above the norm) but expected to drop drastically as a weekend storm moves into the region. It’s what one Reddit user hyperbolically called “the weirdest forecast ever.”

    According to the National Weather service, daytime highs area projected to take a 20-degree drop. There is nearly 100 percent probability that Sunday’s daytime high temp will be below 70 degrees — 10 to 15 degrees below the season’s norm.

    The storm is moving into the Pacific North West and should reach the central San Joaquin Valley by Saturday morning with rain (and snow in the foothills) developing in the afternoon and evening. The east side of the Valley could see a quarter- to half-inch of rain, with an inch to 1.5 inches in the foothills.

    A Winter Weather Advisory is in place on Saturday for the Sierra Nevada above 5,000 feet. Snowfall could reach two to four inches in the lower elevations and up to a foot in higher elevations (above 8,000 feet).

    Things are expected to return to normal (dry and warm and getting warmer) by the middle of next week.

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  • East Texas residents confront their future after flooding

    East Texas residents confront their future after flooding

    LIVINGSTON — Clinton Jones looked across the emergency shelter Friday. His children were going stir crazy. His wife, Samantha, and mother-in-law, Lee Farrell, were making the best of the cots and blankets they received from the Red Cross.

    The 27-year-old’s family was one of thousands who fled their Southeast Texas homes as heavy rains saturated land in multiple counties and filled lakes and streams. An unknown total of homes, businesses and other property has been damaged this week by unrelenting storms stretching across Polk, Montgomery, Harris and other counties.

    Thunderstorms will wrack the region throughout Saturday, and showers are likely on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. Conditions along the Trinity River, which runs through Polk County, have become too dangerous for first responders to access, according to Polk County Emergency Management. Flooding has begun to encroach on subdivisions surrounding the lake to the East and West, evacuation crews began making their final calls for people seeking assistance.

    Jones’ family home sat to the south of Lake Livingston, in the river bottoms of Coldspring, the San Jacinto County seat. It was overtaken by water shortly after the family left and Jones found safe harbor for their animals, his neighbors told him.

    Much of the county was still underwater Friday as crews pulled stranded residents from their homes and roadways.

    His family sat among dozens of evacuees who rested on cots and sat around plastic folding tables in Dunbar Gym, a makeshift shelter in an old school building. Many were elderly or infirm, few spoke English or were comfortable telling their stories.

    [How the flooding in Southeast Texas got so dire]

    Lunch was late, but it would be coming soon. Jones’ 3-year-old son, the youngest, finally fell asleep, exhausted after a night of missing his bed and crying for his toys. They don’t know what to tell him about their home.

    “We lost everything,” Jones said. “We lost everything we owned: beds, dressers, clothes, the kid’s toys.”

    Thunder echoed through the shelter and the sounds of rain were amplified. It scared Jones’ other children, who, at that point, had already fled the storms twice. Their first refuge was a vacant home their friend owned. But the water quickly reached the doors and windows.

    Jones was trying to hold it together, but worry lined his face and tears were near at hand as he spoke about their escape to Livingston.

    He saved most of their important documents and salvaged some clothes so their kids would have something clean to wear. Warm in the shelter, the children remained barefoot. Their shoes were all lost.

    Jones sat next to his son on a folding chair, Samantha stepped forward to offer him what comfort she could. He pressed his face into her stomach as she stroked his hair. Eventually his arms rose to wrap around her waist and they held each other.

    Outside, the day grew sunny and the heat set in. But the damage of the last few days lingered and the rain will return before long.

    Jones doesn’t know where his family will go when Monday comes, hopefully bringing sunny skies and clear weather.

    For most of East Texas, the rains began in early April and they just kept coming. Until Sunday, many locals felt confident they could brave the weather. This is just what East Texas does in the spring, it’s usually rainy and wet, the mosquitos and cicadas begin to emerge and soon the fireflies will too. It’s nearly boating season and time to complain about the heat.

    But on Sunday, the fear began to set in for those living below Lake Livingston as the Trinity River Authority announced it would increase the amount of water released at the dam. Polk County leadership recommended residents evacuate, but the situation was not dire yet.

    On Monday the county declared a disaster. By that afternoon, orders came from local officials to evacuate. Few listened. And as the rains worsened Wednesday and Thursday, first responders were called in to pull people from the water.

    Then, the city of Livingston, population 5,784, which sits east, not south, of the lake, flooded.

    The small town is formed around a small valley, its slight bowl shape sent the water directly to the city’s center.

    Trash, personal belongings, street signs and pieces of homes and businesses littered driveways and grassy lawns of the small town. Creek beds were washed out and businesses along Washington Avenue saw anywhere from six inches of water to three feet.

    A small resale shop was destroyed, its windows busted out, shelves and display cases filled with mud or tossed into the parking lot out front. People with white trash bags picked through the rubbish and walked away with pairs of cowboy boots, jackets and other supplies.

    Downtown Livingston traffic flowed Friday afternoon as small-business owners assessed the damage to their buildings and homeowners began to clean up their yards. Water slowly receded along U.S. Highway 59, but was closed in places between Livingston and Houston, about an hour and a half south.

    Isis Martin, 56, was grateful her little sewing shop, I.M Sew Happy, was located a little ways up the hill, further from the city’s center. It still took on four to six inches of water in places but escaped the damage felt by her fellow business owners.

    Martin’s home survived the storms as it sits on a hill. Water may run down the lawn, but it doesn’t stay there. She knew the biggest concern was her little sewing shop and spent hours on Thursday trying to get past police blockades to check on it. It took eight hours to do so.

    “This is how I support my family,” Martin said. “I have an 18-year-old son at home who’s still in high school. I have a 10-year-old niece and a disabled brother, he’s a double amputee. We all rely on this business to run. So if it’s not running, we’re not surviving.”

    Martin and her friend Keith Rippy, 67, spent Friday morning scraping mud from the floors, removing carpet and assessing damage. All of the outlets her sewing machines were plugged into had been submerged, and she was waiting to see what damage the machines took on.

    Livingston is her home, and she wouldn’t give it up for the world. Even throughout all of this, her network of friends and other small business owners have stepped up for each other. She monitors their social media in case they need anything she can provide, and is confident they’re doing the same.

    Martin prays she can reopen safely on Monday and resume work. She, and the town, are strong enough to withstand this storm.


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  • Storms bring threat of tornadoes, grapefruit-sized hail to 33 counties, Lubbock included

    Storms bring threat of tornadoes, grapefruit-sized hail to 33 counties, Lubbock included

    Much of the South Plains, including Lubbock County, and the Big Country are under a tornado watch until 10 p.m. Friday, with a line of severe storms already developing and moving east across West Texas.

    Lubbock is one of 33 Texas counties under the watch could see severe weather today, including tornadoes and grapefruit-sized hail. As the storms roll in, here’s what we know:

    Tornado Warning issued for Hale County

    Updated: 4:50 p.m.: A tornado was confirmed between Hale County and Plainview after 4:30 p.m. Friday – part of a line of severe thunderstorms moving through the South Plains Friday afternoon. A tornado warning was issued for Hale County, including Plainview and Hale Center, until 5 p.m.

    At 4:35 p.m., a tornado confirmed by weather spotters was located four miles north of Hale Center, moving east at 25 mph, according to the National Weather Service. The tornado was expected to approach Plainview.

    “Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter,” reads a statement from the weather service. “Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.”

    Related: 373 tornadoes hit the US in April — nearly double the average. Here’s how many hit Texas

    Live updates on May 3 storm in Lubbock, surrounding area:

    2:26 p.m.: Tornado Watch issued for multiple counties between 3-10 p.m.

    2:11 p.m.: NWS Lubbock reported that strong to severe storms were expected to develop within the next two hours.

    What will the weather be like in Lubbock this weekend? Rainy.

    The National Weather Service reported more rain is possible this weekend. The forecast, as of 3:11 p.m. Friday, includes:

    Saturday: The high temperature will be near 72, with south-southwest wind around 10-15 mph shifting to north-northeast in the morning. The chance for precipitation is 70%, with rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, though higher amounts are possible during thunderstorms. The low will be around 57, and the night’s precipitation chances will increase to 80%. Showers and potentially severe thunderstorms are likely to occur after 4 p.m., and could continue through 4 a.m. Sunday.

    Sunday: The high will be around 77 degrees and the low will be around 63. Showers and thunderstorms are likely to happen before 7 a.m., and precipitation chances are 60%. Precipitation chances will lessen to 20% for the night, with showers and storms happening after 1 a.m.

    This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Live updates as storms bring tornado, hail threat to West Texas

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  • Mandatory evacuations ordered in Texas after heavy rain and floods

    Mandatory evacuations ordered in Texas after heavy rain and floods

    Mandatory evacuations were ordered in parts of Texas, and residents in Harris County, home to Houston, were told to be ready to stay put for days after heavy rain caused flooding.

    Harris County Judge Linda Hidalgo, the county government’s top executive, declared a disaster Thursday.

    Mandatory evacuations were ordered along the East Fork of the San Jacinto River, and residents were urged to leave before nightfall.

    “What we’re going to see tonight and into the weekend will not be Hurricane Harvey, but we are going to see significant impacts,” Hidalgo said in a statement.

    Flood Updates (Kirk Sides / Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

    Flood Updates (Kirk Sides / Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

    “At this time, folks in the impacted area should either prepare to stay where they are for the next 2-3 days or leave,” she said.

    The American Red Cross of the Texas Gulf Coast opened shelters, and the National Weather Service warned drivers to beware, especially at night.

    A section of U.S. Highway 59 in Polk was completely closed because of flooding Thursday, the state Transportation Department said. It warned drivers to “turn around, don’t drown.”

    More than 7 inches of rain had fallen in parts of Harris County by 11 a.m. Thursday, the National Weather Service said. A flood watch was in effect for Houston until 7 p.m. Friday.

    Heavy rain had ended by late Thursday afternoon, but the flood risk remained as water continued to drain slowly, the weather service said.

    A flood warning was in effect for parts of northern Houston, including the Kingwood area, until 7 a.m. Friday, it said.

    flood water in texas (Jason Fochtman / Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)flood water in texas (Jason Fochtman / Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

    flood water in texas (Jason Fochtman / Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

    Video from NBC affiliate KPRC of Houston showed cars abandoned after having gone off flooded roads and others stuck in the high water.

    No deaths have been reported in the area.

    Houston Mayor John Whitmire said the release of water from Lake Conroe, north of the city, was at levels seen during Hurricane Harvey, a dayslong storm that caused catastrophic flooding in 2017.

    “We have to be on alert. Full alert,” Whitmire said.

    In Livingston, in Polk County about 60 miles northeast of Houston, more than 9 inches of rain had fallen by 11 a.m. Thursday, according to the weather service.

    Johnathan Brown told KPRC that he, his pregnant wife and their 5-year-old had to escape their home Thursday morning after so much water entered that their refrigerator began to float.

    flooding during a severe storms in texas (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)flooding during a severe storms in texas (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

    flooding during a severe storms in texas (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

    Brown said that after everyone was safe and his wife was at the hospital, he “broke down in the end.”

    “We have a baby on the way, and we just lost everything,” he told the station.

    While heavy rain in Houston has ended or tapered off, the weather service said in a flood watch that conditions remain favorable for more heavy rain overnight or Friday. Around 1 to 2 inches of more rain could fall, or up to 4 inches in isolated amounts, it said.

    Any new rain could either slow the receding of water or aggravate flooding, the weather service said.

    This article was originally published on NBCNews.com

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  • Jackson County has a new emergency alert system. Here’s how residents can sign up

    Jackson County has a new emergency alert system. Here’s how residents can sign up

    Severe weather has been on the menu for Kansas City for the past weeks and with another cluster of thunderstorms approaching the Kansas City area Thursday, severe weather alert services have been working overtime to keep residents updated.

    Services in Kansas City and Johnson County have been operating for at least a couple of years, and now residents in other parts of Jackson County can sign up for a new system to receive severe weather alerts delivered directly to their phones.

    The Central Jackson County Emergency Management Agency has started its emergency weather alert notification service through Everbridge, a community information service app. The service looks over Blue Springs, Grain Valley and Lake Tapawingo. The agency transitioned to Everbridge two months ago, said Chip Portz, chief of community risk reduction with the Central Jackson County Fire Protection District.

    Residents can sign up to receive alerts by using the online form. You will have to enter your email or phone number to sign up, and once you have, you can decide if you want to receive alerts to one or both forms of contact.

    If you choose to enter your phone number, you can choose if the alerts will come in as a text message or a call.

    You can also sign up to get alerts by downloading the Everbridge app on your Apple or Android device. The system allows you to tailor the app to only send you the notifications you need the most, such as severe weather changes.

    What other weather alert services can I sign up for?

    For Kansas City residents, you can subscribe to AlertKC, which is also run by Everbridge. You can sign up to receive alerts by using the online form.

    Only approved messages from the city are sent through Everbridge’s system, according to the city’s website.

    Once you’re signed up and registered to receive alerts for Kansas City, the app may also call you during severe weather events, such as a snowstorm or thunderstorm.

    These are the type of alerts you can get after you sign up:

    If you’re in Johnson County, you can also receive the same alerts through NotifyJoCo. You can register online or download the Everbridge app and set your notifications to only receive what you want. If you have problems with registering for NotifyJoCo, call 913-826-5555.

    Like Kansas City, only approved messages go through NotifyJoCo’s system.

    If you live in other parts of the metro, you can get the latest updates through the National Weather Service. Check the current warnings for the area online.

    A live data feed from the National Weather Service containing official weather warnings, watches, and advisory statements. Tap warning areas for more details. Sources: NOAA, National Weather Service, NOAA GeoPlatform and Esri.

    Open

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