A flash flood threat is building across the Midwest as severe storms bring heavy rain, wind damage and power outages from Illinois to Pennsylvania.
A flash flood threat is unfolding across the Midwest as another round of severe storms moves in Monday afternoon, following a Sunday system that produced at least one tornado in northwestern Illinois. The stormy setup is expected to linger for much of the week, bringing repeated rounds of rain and damaging weather to a broad stretch from Chicago to the Ohio Valley and beyond.
Thunderstorms are expected to tap into high humidity and keep dropping heavy rain over the same communities, raising the risk of flash flooding from Chicago through the Ohio Valley into Pittsburgh and the central Appalachians, including Charleston, West Virginia. FOX Weather Exclusive Storm Tracker Brandon Copic spotted a tornado Sunday evening near Annawan, Illinois, as severe storms swept across the state. More than 1,000 customers were still without power early Monday in nearby LaSalle County after strong wind gusts hit Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. The National Weather Service recorded a 73 mph wind gust just west of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrationβs Storm Prediction Center has placed a Level 2 out of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms across a corridor running from northern and central Illinois to eastern Pennsylvania, with parts of northern West Virginia and western Maryland also included. That threat area covers major metro areas such as Chicago, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Scranton, Pennsylvania. Forecasters say large hail, damaging winds and an isolated tornado are all possible in that zone. The same corridor also faces a Level 2 out of 4 flash flood risk beginning Monday evening, after the first round of storms passes through.
βA flash flood threat is building across the Midwest as severe storms bring heavy rain, wind damage and power outages from Illinois to Pennsylvania.β
The weather threat is expected to shift a bit farther south on Tuesday, moving deeper into the central Appalachians and into Virginia. Areas around Charleston, West Virginia, along with parts of southwestern Ohio, are under a Level 3 out of 4 flash flood risk through Tuesday. That higher-end rain threat reflects the concern that storms will keep training over the same locations instead of moving quickly away.
Rain totals of 2 to 3 inches are expected from Chicago to Cleveland, with some pockets in northern Indiana and Ohio seeing 3 to 5 inches where repeated showers develop. The forecast also calls for rain to continue into Thursday, with some parts of West Virginia potentially picking up more than half a foot of rain by the end of the week.
For families, workers and local officials, the threat goes beyond a wet commute or a noisy storm. Repeated downpours can quickly overwhelm roads, homes and drainage systems, while strong winds can knock out power and leave communities dealing with outages and cleanup at the same time. The storm pattern remains active across the heart of the country, and the flash flood threat is the main concern Americans in these states will need to watch as the week unfolds.
Frequently asked questions
What areas are under the severe storm risk?
The Level 2 severe thunderstorm risk stretches from northern and central Illinois to eastern Pennsylvania, with parts of northern West Virginia and western Maryland included.
Which cities are in the forecast zone?
Chicago, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Scranton are all inside the risk corridor.
How bad could the rain get?
Forecasters expect 2 to 3 inches from Chicago to Cleveland, with 3 to 5 inches in some parts of northern Indiana and Ohio. Some areas in West Virginia could end the week with more than half a foot.
What other hazards are expected?
Large hail, damaging wind gusts and an isolated tornado are possible, along with Flash Flooding from repeated storms.
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