A few days after a bizarre series of flash floods, thunderstorms and tornadoes devastated several states in the Midwest, weather experts in the state of Oklahoma now warn about a possible repeat of the destructive weather disturbance this weekend.
John Hart, a meteorologist from the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, said that the bureau detected several storms developing above North Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma, which could potentially bring massive amounts of rain and powerful tornadoes to large parts of the area.
"The conditions are right; it's the right time of year," he said. "There are just a lot of things that make you think over the next three days there will probably be big tornadoes across the southern Plains."
Hart said that the storms are expected to hit this Friday and Saturday.
Earlier this week, residents living in Kansas, Nebraska, Texas and Oklahoma were bombarded by severe thunderstorms and tornadoes that left one person dead and 12 others wounded.
The weather event also caused widespread flooding in the affected parts.
According to police officials, 43-year-old Skylyna Stewart was killed during the storms when the underground storm shelter she was hiding in was flooded.
Forrest Mitchell from the National Weather Service noted that 5 to 8 inches of rain fell in many areas, with the heaviest amount (7.1 inches) recorded in the Oklahoma City airport. He said the previous record was only 2.61 inches, which was registered in 1890.
Oklahoma City spokesperson Kristy Yager said that emergency crew are still in the middle of assessing the extent of the damage caused by the storms. They, however, are worried about the imminent threat of the storms this weekend.
"We're concerned about the weather that's coming in," Yager said. "About receiving more rain tonight, Friday and Saturday. It's important that everybody stay weather aware and have a plan."
Because of the devastation, Gov. Mary Fallin of Oklahoma has placed 12 counties under a state of emergency. Bridge Creek, a rural community located 30 miles southwest of Oklahoma City, was reported to have suffered the most during the storms. Around 25 homes in the area were destroyed.
Photo: Daniel Rodriguez | Flickr
