May 26, 2024 Memorial weekend storms (2024)

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12:16 a.m. ET, May 27, 2024

Our live coverage of the deadly severe weather disrupting the Memorial Day weekend has moved here.

11:50 p.m. ET, May 26, 2024

Severe weather threat to continue through Memorial Day — with tornadoes, hail and strong winds expected

From CNN staff

May 26, 2024 Memorial weekend storms (1)

At least 11 tornado reports were recorded on Sunday, and more severe weather is expected on Memorial Day.

Over 120 million people are at risk of severe weather Monday, concentrated over the East Coast, south of New England, where there is a level 2 out of 5 threat.

Storms that swept through Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky on Sunday continue to move east and pose ongoing threats.

Storms projected through Monday are capable of producing severe tornados, large hail, and damaging winds.

The National Weather Service advises residents to be alert and check the forecast overnight and during their Memorial Day plans.

11:29 p.m. ET, May 26, 2024

More than 642,000 customers are without power in 13 states because of severe weather

From CNN's Joe Sutton

Deadly storms and tornadoes have left hundreds of thousands of customers across 13 states without power late Sunday night.

There are currently more than 642,000 customers in the dark, according to poweroutage.us.

The bulk of the power outages are in Kentucky, where there are nearly 135,000 customers without power.

States experiencing power outages:

  • Texas: 14,048 customers without power
  • Kansas: 9,456 customers without power
  • Missouri: 86,858 customers without power
  • Arkansas: 67,967 customers without power
  • Tennessee: 10,930 customers without power
  • Kentucky: 135,826 customers without power
  • Ohio: 11,452 customers without power
  • West Virginia: 91,321customers without power
  • Virginia: 90,335 customers without power
  • Pennsylvania: 40,817 customers without power
  • Indiana: 40,817 customers without power
  • Illinois: 49,418 customers without power
  • North Carolina: 14,081 customers without power
9:36 p.m. ET, May 26, 2024

President Biden sends condolences for storm victims

From CNN's Samantha Waldenberg

May 26, 2024 Memorial weekend storms (3)

In a statement Sunday, President Joe Biden sent condolences for the people killed in the weekend storms and "everyone who has been affected," and he thanked first responders and emergency personnel for their work.

Jill and I are praying for those who tragically lost their lives as a result of devastating tornadoes that tore through Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, leveling entire communities and leaving a path of destruction in their wake," the president's statement said.

"This comes as communities across the Midwest and South are still reeling from deadly storms and severe weather," he added.

Federal emergency management officials are conducting damage assessments, and "we stand ready to provide support as needed," Biden said.

10:26 p.m. ET, May 26, 2024

St. Louis Cardinals game estimated to begin at 9:40 p.m. — if weather permits

From CNN's Jacob Lev

May 26, 2024 Memorial weekend storms (4)

After an almost two-hour delay due to severe storms in the St. Louis area, the Cardinals game against the Chicago Cubs is estimated to begin at 9:40 p.m. local time Sunday if the weather permits, the team announced.

First pitch was scheduled for 7:10 p.m., but the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for St. Louis and areas south of the city.

Video on social media appeared to show stairwells and the outfield grass flooded at Busch Stadium, where the game is supposed to be played.

This post has been updated.

8:54 p.m. ET, May 26, 2024

Arkansas death toll rises to 8 people

From CNN’s Joe Sutton

The severe weather that swept through Arkansas killed at least eight people in the state, Arkansas Department of Public Safety spokesperson Cindy Murphy told CNN Sunday evening. Previously, officials had reported there were at least five deaths in the state.

At least one person died in Boone County, one in Baxter County, three in Benton County and three in Marion County.

The updated toll means the powerful storm system has killed at least 18 people across four states.

According to officials:

8 people were killed in Arkansas

7 people were killed in Texas

2 people were killed in Oklahoma

1 person was killed in Kentucky

8:29 p.m. ET, May 26, 2024

New tornado watch issued for parts of Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky until 1 a.m. CDT

From CNN Meteorologist Elliana Hebert

A new tornado watch has been issued by the Storm Prediction Center for more than 3 million people living in parts of Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky, including Louisville, Kentucky, and Evansville, Indiana.

The watch is in effect until 1 a.m. CDT Monday.

“Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings,” the prediction center said.

Several tornadoes are possible, along with hail bigger than the size of baseballs and widespread wind gusts reaching up to 85 mph.

This latest watch brings the number of Americans under tornado watches to 6.6 million.

7:56 p.m. ET, May 26, 2024

National Weather Service finds tornado that struck Valley View, Texas, was at least EF-2

From CNN's Elisa Raffa

May 26, 2024 Memorial weekend storms (5)

After conducting storm surveys from the tornadoes that struck northern Texas Saturday night, the National Weather Service said initial findings indicate a tornado of at least EF-2 strength struck the city of Valley View.

“Extensive damage was found in Cooke County, primarily south of Valley View near the Cooke/Denton County line, with a preliminary rating of EF-2 with estimated maximum winds of 135 mph,” the weather service said.

Additionally, the survey team said, “Damage found in south Montague County was consistent with an EF-2 tornado with estimated maximum winds of 125 mph." This tornado was just south of Forestburg, Texas.

Additional details about damage and path length for both tornadoes will be released as the surveys are complete.

Surveys are still ongoing near Pilot Point in Denton County, Celina in Collin County and other areas in north Texas.

“Rating information for the damage in these areas will be released when teams complete their assessments. Complete details including track, length, width and final ratings are expected to be finalized over the next several days,” the weather service said.

7:39 p.m. ET, May 26, 2024

Tornado confirmed by radar in St. Louis metro area

From CNN Meteorologist Elliana Hebert

A tornado was confirmed by radar in the area of St. Louis, Missouri, and in suburbs south of the city.

A tornado warning had also been issued for the area by the National Weather Service, which advised residents to take cover.

The impacts of this tornado could include flying debris, destruction to mobile homes and severe damage to trees, roofs and vehicles.

May 26, 2024 Memorial weekend storms (2024)

FAQs

May 26, 2024 Memorial weekend storms? ›

At least 26 people were killed during a severe weather outbreak over Memorial Day weekend that produced tornadoes, tennis ball-sized hail, damaging winds and power outages for thousands across America's heartland.

Is there a tornado in May 26 2024? ›

On May 26, 2024, multiple rounds of severe weather moved through the region. Round #1 brought extensive tree damage, two confirmed tornadoes, and very heavy rainfall which resulted in river flooding. Round #2 brought even more tree damage and another six tornadoes in central Kentucky.

How many tornadoes has Texas had in 2024? ›

Texas Tornado Mayhem: How Many Twisters Have Wreaked Havoc in 2024? 112 confirmed tornadoes: NOAA data reveals a significant number of tornadoes in Texas for 2024. Active season: This year's tornado activity has surpassed previous years, with several months of peak season remaining.

What category was the tornado in Rogers, AR? ›

ROGERS, Ark. —

The tornado was rated as an EF-2. It began in Bentonville and ended near Beaver Lake. This tornado would be the largest in Arkansas history, but a tornado that hit northwest of Decatur at about the same time was 1.8 miles wide.

What damage can a tornado cause? ›

The vast majority of tornadoes range from F0-F3. All tornadoes produce damage, but the most violent ones can cause automobiles to become airborne, rip homes to shreds, and turn broken glass and other debris into lethal missiles. The biggest tornado threat to human beings is from flying debris in the wind.

Is May the worst month for tornadoes? ›

April, May and June Are the Most Dangerous Months for Tornadoes in the U.S. | Weather Underground.

Which state would a tornado be most likely to strike in May? ›

The peak “tornado season” for the southern Plains (e.g., Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas) is from May into early June. On the Gulf coast, it is earlier in the spring. In the northern Plains and upper Midwest (North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota), tornado season is in June or July.

Will 2024 be a bad tornado season? ›

The Storm Prediction Center says more than 930 tornadoes were reported in the first five months of 2024. This is the fourth most active start to a year on record, and is near the 90th percentile for the last 25-year period, which is well above average.

Where is Tornado Alley in 2024? ›

The tornadoes mostly occurred in the traditional Tornado Alley, from northern Texas to South Dakota, with an extension across the Corn Belt through Iowa and as far east as Ohio, matching the findings of that study.

Which state is least likely to get a tornado? ›

The states with the fewest tornadoes

While tornadoes occur in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., several states experience minimal tornadic activity in an average season. These states recorded no tornadoes in 2023: Alaska. Hawaii.

Has there ever been a Category 5 tornado? ›

EF-5 tornadoes are among the rarest cyclones on the planet. In the U.S., there have been only 59 EF-5 twisters since 1950, according to NOAA's Storm Prediction Center (SPC). That works out to an average of less than one EF-5 tornado in America each year.

Why is Arkansas called Tornado Alley? ›

AccuWeather said that Tornado Alley earned its name due to the "unique combination of geographic and meteorological factors that make it more susceptible to tornadoes." Though it only covers 15% of the U.S., 30% percent of all confirmed tornadoes have happened in Tornado Alley since 1950.

Has there ever been a blizzard tornado? ›

Winter tornado outbreaks comprise 9% of all major outbreaks since 1950. In four out of five cases, they are accompanied by widespread blizzard, heavy snow conditions, and/or extensive glazing on the cold side of the responsible weather system.

Can you outrun a tornado in a vehicle? ›

Cars, buses, and trucks are easily tossed by tornado winds. DO NOT TRY TO OUTRUN A TORNADO IN YOUR CAR. If you see a tornado, stop your vehicle and get out.

What is a tornado weakness? ›

The biggest weakness to the formation of a tornado is the lack of the upper jet stream. You can have all the weather conditions on the surface that would make for perfect tornado generating storms, but if there isn't upper level winds, then no tornado will be formed.

Can a tornado be stopped? ›

Can tornadoes be stopped? You have to consider that the tornado is part of something bigger: the supercell thunderstorm. Unless you disrupt the supercell thunderstorm itself, you would likely have another tornado, even if you were able to destroy the first.

When may a tornado happen? ›

They occur mostly during the spring and summer; the tornado season comes early in the south and later in the north because spring comes later in the year as one moves northward. They usually occur during the late afternoon and early evening.

When was the last year 5 tornado? ›

The nation's last EF-5 tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma, on May 20, 2013.

What is the strongest tornado to date? ›

This article lists various tornado records. The most "extreme" tornado in recorded history was the Tri-State tornado, which spread through parts of Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana on March 18, 1925.

What is the longest last tornado? ›

Tornado: Longest-Lasting/Greatest Distance Traveled Single Tornado
Record Value352.4 km (219 mi.) / 3 ½ hours duration
Date of Event18/3/1925
Geospatial LocationEllington, Missouri to Princeton Indiana

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