Live Updates: Tornado Outbreak Ongoing, Homes Damaged In Oklahoma

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A significant severe weather event is unfolding across the Central and Southern Plains today, putting millions of Americans in the path of potential destruction. Widespread and life-threatening tornadoes, as well as flash flooding are being forecast in many of the same communities still reeling from a Friday round of tornadoes that tore through the nation’s heartland.

The atmosphere is expected to become increasingly unstable as the day progresses, worsening severe weather conditions from the Plains to the Great Lakes. Conditions in Western Oklahoma and western North Texas continue to create the perfect recipe for severe storms.

Our full forecast explains what else you can expect.

Here’s what’s happening now.

(​5:27 p.m. ET) Top Winds So Far Today

A​ wind gust of 60 mph was reported in Douglass, Kansas, about 20 miles southeast of Wichita.

A​ gust of 59 mph was reported in rural Knox City, Texas. A tornado was also confirmed in that area.

(​5:15 p.m. ET) Warmer Layer Might Be Keeping A Lid On Storms, For Now

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

Measurements between 1-2 miles above the ground indicate that there is a small warmer layer aloft that might be keeping a little bit of a lid on thunderstorms this afternoon. Thunderstorms with strong rotation or a little help from boundaries like a cold front or dryline are having no problem breaking through to tornadogenesis.

Storms deep in the warm sector are having a small bit of trouble getting their spins going. This may change this evening as winds aloft typically accelerate and humidity rises during the evening hours. In Oklahoma and northern Texas, the dryline will also mix eastward through the evening, adding additional lift.

R​ead more: Classic Ingredients Needed For A Severe Weather Outbreak

(​4:57 p.m. ET) Omaha Police: Lucky There Weren’t More Injuries

A​s cleanup began today in areas hard hit by last night’s round of severe weather, many communities felt relief.

T​here are so far no reports of deaths or major injuries.

I​n hard-hit areas of Omaha, for example, only two people were transported to hospitals.

Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer credited that to early warning systems in the city and Douglas County, according to the Omaha World-Herald.

“We were not hit upon by a sudden storm,” Schmaderer said. “People had warning of this.”

Read how Friday’s outbreak unfolded here.

(​4:38 p.m. ET) Homes Damaged In Oklahoma

There are reports of substantial damage to a couple of homes near Enid, Oklahoma, this afternoon. The town is in Garfield County about 70 miles north of Oklahoma City. The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post that deputies and first responders were on the scene.

(​3:29 p.m. ET) No Rest For The Weary

These storms are expected in an area that’s already seen its fair share of severe weather this weekend.

The National Weather Service just finished preliminary damage assessments in Texas following heavy storms there on Friday. They found three separate tornadoes in Navarro County – two that were pretty strong, reaching EF1 status – and one smaller one near Frost, Texas.

There were at least three more tornadoes in Mclennan and Hill Counties, including a stronger EF2 near the town of West. Officials are still working through the damage in Hill County. We’ll likely get more details later tonight, but it could take a few days for the full report.

Tornado surveys across the rest of the Plains, including hard-hit Nebraska and Iowa, could take days to weeks to complete.

(​2:55 p.m. ET) Particularly Dangerous Situation Ongoing

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has issued a “Particularly Dangerous Situation” tornado watch for parts of the Plains. This designation signifies the high likelihood of large hail and strong tornadoes that pose a significant threat to life and property, particularly in swaths of Oklahoma and Texas. There is also a likely threat of some higher-end, longer-lasting tornadoes continuing in the area later this evening.

(​2:26 p.m. ET) High-End Flood Threat Not To Be Forgotten

The highest possible threat for flash flooding has been issued across parts of central Oklahoma. This level of flooding often brings rainfall-related fatalities and a sizeable amount of flood-related damage. Experts don’t issue this alert lightly.

(MORE: Why You Should Pay Attention to ‘High Risk’ Flood Forecasts)

This rain is expected in areas that have already seen wet weather (and even severe weather) in recent days, making for waterlogged ground that’s likely already sustained a bit of damage. The repeated threat of severe weather means even training rainfall could prove to be life-threatening.

Here’s what to do when tornado and flash flood warnings are issued simultaneously.

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