Severe Thunderstorms Trigger Tornado and Flash Flood Warnings in Arizona, Illinois and Kansas
The National Weather Service has issued multiple severe thunderstorm warnings, a flash flood warning and a tornado warning across Arizona, Illinois and Kansas as intense storms move through those regions late Wednesday night.
Active Warnings Across Three States
The National Weather Service has issued multiple severe thunderstorm warnings, a flash flood warning and a tornado warning across Arizona, Illinois and Kansas. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] A severe thunderstorm warning covers Maricopa County in Arizona near Painted Rock Dam. [1] Another severe thunderstorm warning is active for central Santa Cruz County in Arizona. [2] A flash flood warning is in effect for Maricopa County in Arizona. [3] A tornado warning applies to portions of Ford County, Livingston County and Kankakee County in Illinois. [4] A severe thunderstorm warning covers Cheyenne County in Kansas. [5] These alerts were issued based on radar indications of rotation, heavy rain and strong winds. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] The warnings describe hazards including 60 mph wind gusts, quarter-size hail and life-threatening flash flooding in the affected areas. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Arizona Thunderstorm and Flash Flood Threats
A severe thunderstorm near Painted Rock Dam in Maricopa County, Arizona, is producing 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail, threatening the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station. [1] This storm was located near Painted Rock Dam, or 19 miles south of Tonopah, moving southwest at 10 mph. [1] Heavy rain has already produced life-threatening flash flooding in Maricopa County with 1–2 inches of rain and a streamflow of 1,800 cfs on Vekol Wash. [3] The flash flood warning notes that between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen, with a streamflow gauge on Vekol Wash at I-8 reporting 1800 cfs. [3] A separate severe thunderstorm is moving toward Nogales and Rio Rico in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, with the same 60 mph winds and quarter-size hail. [2] This storm was located near Patagonia, moving southwest at 20 mph until 1130 PM MST. [2] Locations impacted by the Santa Cruz County storm include Nogales, Rio Rico and Patagonia. [2] The Maricopa County thunderstorm threatens locations that include the Palo Verde Nuclear Generation Station, Painted Rock Dam and AZ Route 85 near mile marker 136. [1] Both Arizona thunderstorms carry the hazard of 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail according to radar indications. [1] [2]
Illinois Tornado Warning
A tornado warning is in effect for portions of Ford, Livingston and Kankakee counties in Illinois where radar indicated rotation in a storm near Dwight moving east at 30 mph. [4] The warning covers northeastern Livingston County, southwestern Kankakee County and north central Ford County. [4] It remains in effect until 115 AM CDT. [4] The storm was located near Dwight at 1239 AM CDT and is capable of producing a tornado. [4] Radar indicated rotation as the source of the tornado threat. [4] The warning applies to the listed counties in central and northeastern Illinois. [4]
Kansas Line of Severe Storms
A line of severe thunderstorms in Cheyenne County, Kansas, is producing 60 mph wind gusts and heading toward Atwood, Herndon and Ludell. [5] The storms were located along a line extending from 10 miles south of Stratton to 8 miles south of Benkelman, moving east at 20 mph. [5] These severe storms will be near Herndon and Ludell around 130 AM CDT. [5] They will reach Atwood around 135 AM CDT. [5] Other locations impacted include Blakeman, Beardsley, Wheeler and Max. [5] The hazard consists of 60 mph wind gusts based on radar indications. [5]
Impacts and Safety Information
Hail damage to vehicles is expected from the Arizona thunderstorms, along with wind damage to roofs, siding and trees. [1] [2] Life-threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams and urban areas is ongoing or expected in Maricopa County. [3] Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught outside in the Illinois tornado warning area. [4] Damage to roofs, siding and trees is expected from the Kansas line of storms. [5] The National Weather Service statements emphasize that these conditions pose risks to people and property in the warned zones. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] Residents in the path of any of these storms should remain alert to updates from local authorities. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
What to watch next: The severe thunderstorm near Painted Rock Dam continues moving southwest, the Santa Cruz County storm heads toward Nogales and Rio Rico, the Illinois storm moves east at 30 mph, and the Kansas line advances toward Atwood, Herndon and Ludell.
