Severe weather threatens parts of America’s heartland trying to recover from historic flooding, deadly storms

The Midwest and Southeast regions have been devastated by a series of powerful storms and flooding, resulting in at least 25 deaths across seven states. The aftermath of this disaster is now compounded by the looming threat of severe weather on Thursday, as residents struggle to recover from the destruction.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, clusters of thunderstorms are expected to develop in the mid- and Deep South as well as the Tennessee Valley, areas that were severely impacted by the recent extreme weather events. While the risk of severe storms remains, it is not as high as last week’s deadly outbreak.

Approximately 34 million people are at risk of severe storms on Thursday, with nearly 14 million people in a Level 2 risk category according to NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center. Cities such as Memphis, Chattanooga, Birmingham, Huntsville, and Atlanta are included in this risk zone.

The main factors driving storm development are a cold front moving south from the Midwest and the orientation of the jet stream over the U.S. The primary threats from these storms will be damaging wind gusts, large hail, and the possibility of tornadoes.

President Trump has approved emergency disaster declarations for Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky, enabling FEMA to provide additional support to affected communities. In Kentucky, the National Guard and other state agencies are working tirelessly to keep residents safe and have urged people to avoid unnecessary travel until the floodwaters recede.

In Tennessee, mandatory evacuations have been issued in Dyer County due to significant flooding impacts. Damage assessments are ongoing, with officials determining the need for a federal major disaster declaration based on the severity and magnitude of the event.

Residents are advised to document any damage to their property before beginning cleanup efforts. The road to recovery will be long and challenging, but with the support of local, state, and federal agencies, affected communities will eventually rebuild and recover from this devastating natural disaster.