Central US Faces Threat of Severe Storms and Historic Flooding

A late wave of dangerous storms is poised to strike the central United States. Forecasters warn the system could worsen already historic flooding across parts of the Great Lakes.

Storm threat and timing

Forecasters say a surge of jet stream energy will fuel one final round of severe weather on Friday. The most serious risk stretches from Oklahoma to Wisconsin and covers more than 10 million people.

Risk areas include Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Des Moines and La Crosse. Storms may begin early afternoon in the north and expand southward through the evening.

Expected hazards

Initial cells could produce tornadoes and very large hail. Meteorologists say some tornadoes may reach EF2 strength or greater.

There is a narrower corridor from eastern Iowa into central Wisconsin with potential for intensely damaging tornadoes. Widespread damaging straight-line winds are likely by late afternoon and evening.

Flooding across Michigan and Wisconsin

Multiple rain rounds this week have worsened river flooding in Michigan and Wisconsin. Many rivers are at major or record flood levels in more than 20 locations.

The Muskegon River rose above record levels on Thursday. Mandatory evacuations were ordered for anyone remaining below Croton Dam in Newaygo County.

Dam stress and evacuation triggers

Officials report several county dams are at or near capacity. Cheboygan County crews are fortifying the Alverno Dam amid fears of downstream failure.

Authorities said water near the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex came within inches of a critical threshold. Evacuation protocols would be triggered if water reaches one inch below the dam crest.

Other vulnerable sites

• Evart, Michigan: water rescues were reported as rivers began to impact homes.
• Antrim County: residents downstream of the Bellaire Dam were advised to prepare to evacuate.
• Hesperia area: a flash flood watch was issued for the Hesperia Dam and the rapidly rising White River.
• Waupaca County, Wisconsin: low-lying residents in New London and nearby towns were urged to evacuate.

Local impacts and disruptions

About 1,800 people in New London received evacuation notices. County officials said dams are “stressed to the max” but remain holding for now.

Utilities cut natural gas to roughly 2,200 customers in flooded areas of New London and Shiocton. Officials cited safety concerns and potential infrastructure damage.

Urban flooding and transit

Milwaukee experienced flash flooding that stranded vehicles and closed highways. The city fire department answered about 50 calls for water rescues during the heavy storms.

Transit agencies warned of delays and detours as crews clear flooded roadways and restore service.

Severe weather this week

The region had a brief lull Thursday after dozens of tornado reports earlier in the week. More than three dozen tornado reports and over 300 large-hail reports occurred prior to the pause.

Notable tornadoes and hail

• Union Center, Wisconsin: an EF3 tornado with winds up to 140 mph caused major structural damage on Tuesday.
• Lisbon, Wisconsin: an EF2 on Tuesday evening damaged roofs and uprooted trees near Milwaukee.
• Eastern Kansas: a pair of Monday night EF2 tornadoes struck, with one in Miami County damaging about 100 structures near Hillsdale.
• Clinton, Missouri: a tornado on Wednesday damaged a few homes but caused no reported injuries.
• Large hail fell in the Kansas City and Cleveland areas, including reports of softball-size stones southwest of Kansas City.

Fatality and rescues

Lightning struck and killed a man in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on Wednesday night. Emergency personnel also conducted multiple water rescues across affected communities.

Officials say several earthen dam breaches flooded homes and affected hundreds of people in recent days. One earlier evacuation order was later lifted after conditions shifted.

Response and outlook

State and local crews are working around the clock to shore up vulnerable dams and infrastructure. Measures include sandbags, pumps, gate removals and efforts to bring turbines online to release water safely.

Authorities warned residents in flood-prone areas to be ready to evacuate on short notice. After the late-week threat, a pattern change should bring a multi-day break starting Sunday.

Filmogaz.com will continue monitoring the situation and provide updates as new information becomes available.