Travel Nightmare and Power Outages as Severe Weather Slams Central U.S.

A powerful storm system has brought widespread severe weather to large portions of the Southern and Central United States, leaving behind a trail of damage, power outages, and travel disruptions. The system, which developed late Sunday and intensified overnight, has impacted Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and surrounding states, with tornado watches and warnings issued across the region.

According to the National Weather Service, multiple tornadoes were reported in rural areas of Texas and Arkansas, along with hail the size of baseballs and wind gusts exceeding 75 mph. Flash flooding was also a major concern in parts of Louisiana and Mississippi, where torrential downpours overwhelmed drainage systems.

Emergency services in central Texas responded to dozens of calls for downed power lines, uprooted trees, and damaged roofs. In Little Rock, Arkansas, portions of the city lost power after high winds snapped utility poles, while northern Louisiana experienced flooded roads and stalled vehicles.

Meteorologists at the Storm Prediction Center had placed much of the region under an Enhanced to Moderate Risk for severe weather, warning of long-track tornadoes and destructive straight-line winds. The threat is expected to shift eastward throughout Monday, with Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky now in the storm’s path.

Air travel has also been affected, with delays and cancellations reported at major airports including Dallas/Fort Worth International, St. Louis Lambert, and Memphis International. Airlines are advising passengers to check flight statuses before heading to the airport.

Residents are urged to remain weather-aware and follow guidance from local authorities. Many communities have opened emergency shelters and are coordinating cleanup efforts as storms continue to move across the region.