Severe storms have unleashed a wave of destruction across the South and Midwest, with tornadoes reported in Mississippi and Tennessee, causing significant damage and threatening lives. As of Thursday morning, April 3, 2025, around 14 million people from Ohio to Mississippi remain under tornado watches, while dozens of tornado warnings continue to pour out from the National Weather Service (NWS).
Tornadoes struck Slayden in Mississippi and Grand Junction and Selmer in Tennessee, with reports of powerful tornadoes touching down and leaving trails of destruction. "Grand Junction has been hit directly by a nightmarish wedge tornado. Debris being lofted over 20,000 ft. and now getting thrown into a massive debris field. Oh no…," a user posted on X, highlighting the severity of the situation.
In Selmer, the NWS in Memphis warned of two very large tornadoes that had hit the ground, later alerting that Selmer was facing another tornado to its north. "This is an incredibly dangerous situation," the service stated, emphasizing the urgency of the threat.
As the storms continue to wreak havoc, flash flooding is expected to follow in the coming days, with forecasters warning of life-threatening conditions. "A powerful Spring storm system will continue to bring the threat of life-threatening flash flooding and significant severe weather focused on the Ohio Valley west-southwest through the Middle Mississippi Valley, Mid-South, and ArkLaTex," the NWS reported.
The storms have already caused substantial damage, with homes and farms affected in Missouri and Arkansas, and even a radio tower toppled in Indiana. The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management reported that damage occurred in 22 counties due to tornadoes, wind gusts, hail, and flash flooding, with at least four people injured. Tragically, Sgt. Clark Parrott with the Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed one death in Missouri.
Forecasters attribute the violent weather to a combination of factors, including daytime heating, an unstable atmosphere, strong wind shear, and abundant moisture streaming into the nation’s midsection from the Gulf. This combination has led to a rare high-risk zone being declared, with about 2.5 million people affected across parts of west Tennessee, northeast Arkansas, southeast Missouri, and western Kentucky.
The Storm Prediction Center has indicated that "multiple long-track EF3+ tornadoes" are likely, with tornadoes of that intensity being among the most severe. A tornado emergency was briefly declared around Blytheville, Arkansas, on the evening of April 2, with debris reported to have been lofted at least 25,000 feet (7.6 kilometers) into the air.
Videos shared on social media show the destruction caused by these powerful tornadoes, with roofs torn off and power lines downed. One video from Selmer was captioned, "Here is a look at the Selmer #tornado! Insane to see another wedge happen in this historic outbreak! If you are in a warning, TAKE COVER NOW!" This call to action underscores the urgency of the situation for those in affected areas.
In addition to the immediate threat posed by tornadoes, the storms are expected to bring nearly nonstop rain over the coming days. This could lead to "generational" flooding in regions including Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, and Mississippi, as AccuWeather has projected that there could be up to four months' worth of rain in just five days along portions of a 1,000-mile-long swath in the Central US.
Climate change has played a role in intensifying these extreme weather events. A recent study by Climate Central found that climate change has increased hourly rainfall rates in nearly 90% of large US cities since 1970. The amount of rainfall expected in the coming days may overwhelm small streams and drainage systems in urban areas, leading to flash flooding.
As the storms continue to unfold, officials are urging residents in affected areas to stay vigilant and prepared. The NWS has warned that tornado watches will remain in parts of northern Alabama, eastern Kentucky, northern Mississippi, and central Tennessee until 6 AM CT on Thursday, April 3. Nearly six million people are impacted by these watches, including residents in Nashville, Tennessee, and Tupelo, Mississippi.
In summary, the severe storms have caused significant destruction and loss, with tornadoes wreaking havoc in multiple states. As the situation develops, authorities continue to monitor the weather and provide updates to keep the public informed and safe.
