Severe storms trigger hundreds of damaging wind reports from Plains through Northeast

PITTSBURGH – A powerful storm system that brought severe weather to the central U.S. on Sunday and Monday continued its eastward trek Tuesday, with over 2,000 miles of the country under threat for severe weather.

NOAA's Storm Prediction Center reported receiving hundreds of reports of severe weather, which included downed trees and powerlines and even some roofs that were damaged by near-hurricane-force wind gusts.

On Tuesday afternoon, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch was issued for about 8 million people in parts of Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia until 7 p.m. ET.

Flooding, too, is a concern, as heavy precipitation inundates communities in the Plains and Midwest.

Severe weather rocked parts of Missouri earlier on Tuesday morning, with thunderstorms producing 91-mph wind gusts in Springfield. In addition, schools in Ozark, Missouri, were told to shelter in place during a Tornado Warning.

There have also been numerous reports of trees and power lines down in Freistatt, Monett and Aurora.

Another community impacted by the storms was Purdy, Missouri, home to Camp Barnabas, a beloved organization that provides camping experiences for people with chronic illnesses and special needs. 

The camp was severely damaged during the storms. Many trees were knocked down on the property, damaging buildings and equipment. Campers are set to arrive in about a month. Volunteers and donations are needed to help them reopen in time to welcome the campers for the summer. 

"We are so thankful for God’s protection today—and we’re trusting Him to provide through the hands and hearts of our community," Camp Barnabas wrote on Facebook. 

Power outages in Missouri spiked to more than 40,000 customers by late Tuesday morning as the tornado-warned storm caused damage in places like Springfield, where multiple homes were damaged by downed trees. 

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Severe storms threaten Ohio Valley, interior Northeast

Ongoing storms from Monday night continued into Tuesday morning as the expansive system continued pushing off to the east across the central U.S.

The Level 3 severe weather threat from the Ohio Valley to the Northeast on Tuesday includes cities like Louisville in Kentucky, Columbus and Cleveland in Ohio, Pittsburgh and Erie in Pennsylvania and Buffalo and Syracuse in New York.

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The FOX Forecast Center says the greatest threat from these storms will be damaging wind gusts and large hail, but an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.

"It depends on where you're at and the timing for when these storms arrive," FOX Weather Meteorologist Kendall Smith said.

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Renewed severe weather threat in southern Plains

There's also a second area of this massive threat zone in portions of Texas and Oklahoma where people need to keep an eye on the sky Tuesday.

"We have just a huge stretch here," FOX Weather Meteorologist Britta Merwin said. "The southern part also has a bull's-eye, a 3-out-of-5 potential here for severe weather. Part of the kicker here for Texas is going to be that potential for very large hail."

Communities in this increased-risk zone include Wichita Falls, Abilene and Midland in Texas.

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Plains, Midwest face heightened flash flood threat

Heavy rain is also expected to lead to flash flooding in portions of the Plains and Midwest on Tuesday.

NOAA's Weather Prediction Center (WPC) says the threat of flooding will stretch from Texas to the Great Lakes on Tuesday. However, a Level 3 out of 4 flood risk has been highlighted for portions of Texas and Oklahoma, including cities like Wichita Falls and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.