OKLAHOMA CITY — There is some nasty weather out there and the potential for more.
“Tornadoes, destructive hail, and damaging wind will occur,” the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center flatly warned.
As night fell there were tornado watches in Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and northern Texas.
States like Indiana and Kentucky were getting blasted by thunderstorms, radar showed.
The National Weather Service said one tornado has been spotted Tuesday night about 25 miles west of Bloomington, Indiana. But later, tornado warnings in the southern part of the state were canceled.
To the south in Vanderburgh County there was a report to the National Weather Service of another tornado. Amy Mangold with Evansville Emergency Management said there were no reports of injuries but there were initial descriptions of trees down and poles that had fallen on buildings.
In Kansas, the weather service’s office in Wichita said Tuesday evening that there were several reports of hail bigger than golf balls.
One resident of the city posted a photo of a piece of hail almost as big as her palm.
A woman who lives just south of Wichita posted an Instagram video showing hail coming down, saying: “Our back room outside is starting to flood.”
At the airport in Cincinnati, Ohio, passenger Leah Wilmington had to sit on a plane as torrential rain prevented her departure.
“Hmm I think I’m going to miss my connection…,” she wrote, the rain so heavy it was difficult to see the planes at nearby gates.
At least two Oklahoma school districts decided the threat was significant enough to shut down for the day. Others opted to dismiss early, citing the threat of severe weather.
Among them: public schools in Moore, Oklahoma, where a 2013 tornado that ravaged the city flattened a school building, killing seven children.
Be prepared
Forecasters advised people in the storm-threatened areas to prepare.
“Make sure you have a severe weather plan for you and your family,” Bunting said. “If you don’t, today is the day to develop it.”
Among his tips ahead of the storms:
• Know where to seek shelter in your home or building.
• Have a way to get in touch with family or friends, or set a designated meeting point, to let them know you’re OK after the storm.
• Have multiple ways of receiving information and weather alerts, including a weather radio and weather apps on your smartphone. Also make sure your phone is set to receive emergency weather alerts. In some phones it’s under general settings, and in others, it’s in the message settings.
