Torrential rain triggers Flash Flood Emergencies in Arkansas, Louisiana on Wednesday
Storms later on during the evening erupted around the Great Lakes, with at least five tornadoes being reported around Chicago.
FOX Forecast Center tracking several regions for storms on Thursday
Storms are expected to develop over the Northeast and Plains on Thursday.
Severe weather swept across the Mississippi Valley on Wednesday, triggering Flash Flood Emergencies for parts of southwestern Arkansas, including the city of Stamps, after 8 to 10 inches of rain fell in just a few hours.
The National Weather Service said multiple roads in the area were reported as impassible, and flooding was occurring inside buildings in Stamps.
The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management said a mail truck drove through a flooded area, and the driver had to be rescued in Lafayette County.
Another Flash Flood Emergency was later issued for portions of northwestern Louisiana, including the town of Haynesville. The NWS noted flash flooding was occurring after a quick 4 to 6 inches of rain fell over the area.
The Flash Flood Emergencies were allowed to expire on Wednesday afternoon when the heavy rain moved out of the area.
![Rotating wall cloud west of Chicago]()
Image 1 of 5Rotating wall cloud over Aurora, IL (Harold Downs III)
![A shelf cloud is seen moving over West Omaha, Nebraska, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.]()
Image 2 of 5A shelf cloud is seen moving over West Omaha, Nebraska, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. (@Kuja\_Stu/Twitter)
![A shelf cloud is seen moving over West Omaha, Nebraska, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.]()
Image 3 of 5A shelf cloud is seen moving over West Omaha, Nebraska, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. (@Kuja\_Stu/Twitter)
![A shelf cloud is seen moving over West Omaha, Nebraska, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.]()
Image 4 of 5A shelf cloud is seen moving over West Omaha, Nebraska, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. (@Kuja\_Stu/Twitter)
![The National Weather Service in Omaha, Nebraska, said 71-mph winds were reported at their office on Wednesday morning.]()
Image 5 of 5The National Weather Service in Omaha, Nebraska, said 71-mph winds were reported at their office on Wednesday morning. (NWS Omaha)
Storms later on during the evening erupted around the Great Lakes, with at least five tornadoes being reported around Chicago.
Passengers at the Chicago O'Hare scrambled to find shelter after the NWS said a tornado was spotted near the airport.
More than half a dozen initial reports of tornadoes throughout Northern Illinois, Chicago meto
The Storm Prediction Center received at least seven reports of tornadoes that moved through Northern Illinois on Wednesday evening.
The NWS will be out Thursday conducting storm surveys to determine the number and strength of tornadoes that touched down in the Chicago area.
Despite the severe weather, there were no reports of fatalities. However, some suburbs will likely be cleaning up the damage for a while after several trees fell during the storms.
Severe weather threat shifts back west for the end of the week
The weather was calmer around the Great Lakes on Thursday. Instead, the risk of severe thunderstorms pushed back into the Plains for Thursday and Friday.
NOAA's Storm Prediction Center placed parts of South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma and Texas in a level 2 out of 5 risk zone for severe weather on Thursday. Communities between Rapid City, South Dakota, and Amarillo, Texas, face the increased risk from storms with large hail and damaging winds.
Thunderstorms are expected to develop during the late afternoon and evening and be slow-movers.
(FOX Weather)