Southern, Plains states on guard for tornadoes
Levee breach in northwest Indiana leads to evacuation.
OKLAHOMA CITY — A tornado watch was issued Saturday in parts of four states as a strong storm system moved into the South and Plains states.
The watch was in effect until 6 p.m. in most of Arkansas and in northeastern Texas, southeastern Oklahoma and northeastern Louisiana.
The weather service said the system was also capable of producing wind gusts of up to 75 mph and hail up to 2 inches in diameter, or about the size of an egg. Heavy rain and flooding is also possible.
Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens signed an executive order Saturday declaring a state of emergency ahead of anticipated storms and flooding in parts of southern Missouri. The order activates the resources of the Missouri National Guard and ensures state resources are available in the event of weather damage.
A levee breach along the Kankakee River in northwestern Indiana had local officials urging about 30 homeowners to evacuate.
Keener Township Volunteer Fire Chief Randy Woods said the breach was relatively minor when it was discovered about 3 p.m. Friday near Demotte, about 50 miles southeast of Chicago. Residents tried to sandbag the breach “to get it under control, but it just got bigger and bigger,” he said. Local firefighters were called to help them, but eventually everyone had to pull out for their own safety.
No injuries were reported. The National Weather Service said record flooding was occurring along the Kankakee following several days of heavy rains and snowmelt that sent streams out of their banks from the Ohio River to Michigan and Wisconsin.