An already-brutal year in the plains states may get even more ruinous on Monday.
Meteorologists have called for a 30-45% chance for “potentially long-track and violent” tornadoes to occur in a large area extending from northwest Texas to central Oklahoma.
The large swath covers at least 2 million people and includes a high-risk warning for Oklahoma City and a moderate one for those in Lubbock and Wichita Falls, Texas. Experts say the twisters could reach EF-4 or EF-5 level (out of five) with winds as high as 200 MPH.
In addition to deadly gusts, the phenomena could also bring baseball-sized hail and flash flooding.
Today’s alert comes six-years to the day after an EF-5 tornado killed 24 people in Moore, Oklahoma.
Oklahoma City-area schools, like those in Moore, are closed on Monday in anticipation of another deadly twister.
“We believe this is the best decision for our students, staff and families as their health and safety are priority,” said Moore Public Schools on Twitter. “Please ensure safety plans are in place for your family in case needed for severe weather.”
According to The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Storm Prediction Center, the last time a 45% tornado probability was given a 2012 twister outbreak killed six in Woodward, Oklahoma.
