Live Updates: Tornadoes Confirmed Amid Severe Weather Outbreak

An outbreak of severe weather is targeting much of the Ohio ValleyAs the storms move through the area, many towns face the threat of damaging winds, rain and flooding. Several tornadoes were confirmed. Follow along here for the latest updates from the region.

(6:50 pm ET) Tornado Touches Down In New Castle

A damaging tornado reportedly hit New Castle, Kentucky. The National Weather Service https://twitter.com/NWStornado/status/1775283522384892389 the observed tornado just before it touched down.

Initial reports from the area illustrate widespread damage from the quick-moving twister.

No injuries have been reported at this time.

(6:20 pm ET) Wisconsin Voters Brave Severe Weather

Snow, sleet and wind didn’t deter Wisconsin voters, who lined up to take part in the state’s Presidential primary.

Snow fell across the state, with temperatures hovering around freezing. Whiteout conditions were possible in some areas where wind gusts topped 30 mph.

Elected officials https://twitter.com/RepGwenMoore/status/1775174423236030685 to check tune in to local weather advisories and get to the polls as safely as possible.

(5:45 pm ET) Severe Weather Turns Deadly

Officials in Oklahoma told the Associated Press the dangerous storms were to blame for the death of a 46-year-old woman.

A spokesperson for the Tulsa Fire Department said the woman had been asleep at the entrance of a drainage pipe and did not survive as flood waters rose significantly.

More than an inch of rain fell in Tulsa in the span of one hour as the storm squall moved through, according to the National Weather Service.

(5:15 pm ET) Missouri Wind Gusts Topped Hurricane Strength

Storm survey teams in Missouri confirmed wind gusts reached a maximum speed of 100 mph. That’s equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane. The winds caused roof damage to several businesses, and snapped power poles.

No injuries or deaths were reported in the area.

(3:30 pm ET) The Threat Continues

From weather.com senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:

“Tonight, we expect the most numerous thunderstorms, some of which will be severe, to stretch from western Pennsylvania and Ohio to Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and western Georgia. Damaging thunderstorm wind gusts, capable of tree damage and power outages, and a few tornadoes are the biggest threats. Additional soaking rain on ground saturated by previous rounds of thunderstorms will also pose a flash flood danger in western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.”

Read our full forecast here.

The threat is also expected to extend into Wednesday from parts of the mid-Atlantic states to central Florida.

(2:50 pm ET) EF-1 Tornado Confirmed

The National Weather Service office in Louisville, Kentucky confirmed a tornado touched down in Anderson County. The twister has been categorized as an EF-1, with maximum winds estimated to have reached 90 mph.

(2:30 pm ET) Kentucky Resident Describes Severe Storms

Witnesses in central Kentucky were shaking as severe weather bore down on the area. “It’s the scariest I’ve been in a long time,” said Brian Winters, describing extreme wind that split trees, downed power poles and blew his mailbox across several lanes of traffic.

Winters said the storms wreaked havoc on the roads outside his house, even overturning a massive tractor trailer, “I don’t know if it picked it up and moved it down the road but it sounded like it was grinding against the blacktop.”

A State of Emergency was declared in Lexington due to the severe weather.

(12:40 pm ET) West Virginia Power Outages Top 100,000

According to PowerOutages.us, over 100,000 homes and businesses are without power in western West Virginia. Nearly half of those outages are in Kanawha County. Officials from the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office say numerous roads are blocked by fallen trees or crashes. Region-wide, including in neighboring states, outages have topped 200,000.

(12:30 pm ET) Firefighters Rescue Two Trapped By Ohio Floods

Columbus, Ohio firefighters say they have rescued two people from fast-rising waters in the Scioto River. The pair were said to be sleeping under a bridge when the storms began. Though they never actually entered the water, the flooding prevented them from reaching safety.

(12:15 pm ET) Kentucky State Offices Closing Early

Due to inclement weather conditions, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear https://twitter.com/KYStateLibrary/status/1775193879794344287?s=20 all state offices to close early Tuesday, at 1:00 pm ET.

(11:55 a.m. ET) Damaging Winds Hit Southern Ohio

Lawrence County, Ohio, emergency management officials say several campers are flipped over and structures damaged as a result of strong winds. The Ohio Department of Transportation says a portion of State Route 141 is closed due to debris on the road.

(11:05 a.m. ET) Indiana Museum Damaged By Storms

The Evansville Wartime Museum sustained heavy damage as a result of thunderstorms in the area. Photos showed that the roof over a 1940s war plane was damaged. Visitors who have already purchased tickets to the museum will be refunded.

(10:57 am ET) Reports Of A Possible Tornado In Central Kentucky

Reports of a potential tornado are originating from Nicholasville, Kentucky. According to a Lexington-based reporter, gas lines have been compromised and power lines were blown down. Fire crews are on the scene.

(10:55 am ET) Outages Near 10% For Memphis Utility Provider

Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division officials say that 9% of their customers lost power due to the impacts of the severe storms. According to PowerOutage.us, over 33,000 homes and businesses were without electricity.

(10:25 a.m. ET) The Squall Line Is Still Going

A line of severe thunderstorms responsible for damage before sunrise over far southern Illinois, southern Indiana and western Kentucky is still sweeping east, now headed into West Virginia. A tornado watch was just issued for parts of the Mountain State, including the state capital, Charleston.

Damaging thunderstorm wind gusts, tornadoes and flash flooding are the main concerns as this line continues east.

(7:51 am ET) Ohio Could Add On To Already Notable Tornado Season

The state of Ohio has already seen an unusually early start to the tornado season. Considering there have already been 18 tornadoes so far this year in Ohio, they’ve seen https://twitter.com/evan_bentley/status/1770112498768941067. With today’s severe threat, Ohio could add to that total, exceeding their annual average by even more.

(7:38 am ET) Possible Tornado Reported In Illinois

Emergency management officials in Illinois say a possible tornado struck the town of Williamson. Damage reports indicate significant structural damage near Lake of Egypt.

(6 a.m. ET) Evansville, Indiana, Area Sees Damage From Strong Winds

Wind gusts reaching 70 mph were recorded in southern Indiana. Emergency operations officials report that there has been roof damage, numerous reports of downed trees and power lines and damage to mobile homes.

Storms Ravaged Parts Of The South, Ohio Valley The Night Prior

The same outbreak of severe weather impacted parts of the Plains late last night into the overnight hours.

In Osage County, Oklahoma, a tornado warning was issued due to a radar-indicated tornado. Significant damage was seen in the town of Barnsdall.

Elsewhere in the central US, hail up to the size of grapefruits and strong winds hammered numerous cities and towns.