A Massive Storm Is Threatening More Than 50 Million People Across The Central U.S

Residents in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and the Florida Panhandle are all at risk of severe weather today, according to the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center. The area most at risk of tornadoes and the most dangerous storms is from Texas into Missouri. Multiple tornadoes, a few of which could be strong, are possible today, as well as scattered damaging winds up to 70 mph and hail up to 2 inches in diameter.

The threat of severe weather comes just days after a tornado tore through Onalaska, Texas, killing at least two people and injuring dozens more. The tornado was rated an EF3, with winds up to 140 mph, according to the National Weather Service. The tornado damaged or destroyed approximately 50 homes and businesses in Onalaska. Residents there are still digging out from the deadly twister and face a long road to recovery even as more dangerous weather threatens the region today.

The volatile weather is being fueled by a powerful storm system moving out of the Rockies that is pulling warm, moist air northward from the Gulf of Mexico. Conditions are ripe for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes to develop and move quickly across the central U.S. Residents are urged to have a plan in place in case warnings are issued for their area. The severe weather threat is expected to shift into the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic on Wednesday.