The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for eastern and central Iowa, northwestern Illinois, northeastern Missouri and the southwestern corner of Wisconsin. It urged the 5 million people living in the region to be prepared for multiple strong tornadoes on Friday afternoon and evening. “This is a very dangerous situation,” he said.
Northeastern Arkansas, the southern boot of Missouri, western Kentucky and Tennessee are also at risk of being hit by tornadoes, the weather service said. Several Midwestern cities, including Chicago, may also be at risk from the storm, the weather service added. “There is a chance of some very strong tornadoes that could remain grounded for quite some time, especially in northern Arkansas and western Tennessee,” said John Feerick, senior meteorologist with AccuWeather.
Thunderstorms are possible along a 1,000-mile front with strong winds, hail, and downpours that could cause flooding, according to meteorologists. The northern, colder side of the storm, stretching from the High Plains to the upper Great Lakes, can bring heavy snow, coupled with wind gusts of up to 50 mph.
The fierce storm comes a week after thunderstorms spawned a tornado in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, that killed 26 people.