Easter weekend turns violent as deadly tornadoes slam Midwest—millions still in path

More than 30 million people across the Plains and Midwest remained under severe weather alerts this Easter weekend, as a powerful storm system continues to trigger tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail across several states. With at least five tornadoes already confirmed by the National Weather Service, meteorologists warned that conditions remain ripe for more destructive storms through Sunday.

On Thursday, the National Weather Service in Omaha confirmed that five tornadoes touched down—three in Nebraska and two in Iowa. The most significant was an EF-3 tornado, which tracked through northern Douglas County and southeastern Washington County, just 11 miles north of Omaha. With wind speeds estimated around 140 mph, the tornado was on the ground for over eight miles and left a trail of heavy damage in its wake.

What areas are under threat this weekend?

The threat of severe weather has spread across central Texas, southeastern Oklahoma, northwestern Arkansas, and southwestern Missouri. Forecast models indicate that large swathes of these regions will be affected by supercell thunderstorms capable of producing extremely large hail, damaging straight-line winds, and isolated tornadoes. Cities such as Dallas, Norman, Fort Smith, Springfield, and Texarkana have been identified as potential impact zones.

Weather forecasters at the Storm Prediction Center have issued “enhanced” and “moderate” risk categories for these areas, with the potential for particularly volatile storm cells forming during the late afternoon and evening hours. Residents across these states have been urged to remain weather-aware, keep mobile alerts on, and have a safe shelter plan ready.

How dangerous is the storm system expected to get?

This weekend’s outbreak is being characterized as a multi-day severe weather event, with new regions expected to face threats each day. The atmospheric ingredients contributing to this storm system—including strong wind shear, ample moisture, and high instability—are creating textbook conditions for rotating storms known as supercells. These storms have the highest potential to produce long-track tornadoes and cause widespread damage.

Meteorologists have warned that this storm system could be one of the most dangerous of the season so far, particularly because of its slow-moving nature and the fact that it’s affecting areas with high population density. The National Weather Service has emphasized the importance of not waiting for visual confirmation of a tornado before seeking shelter, given how fast these systems can intensify.

What happened during Thursday’s tornado outbreak?

Among the five tornadoes confirmed, the most destructive struck northern parts of the Omaha metropolitan area. Homes in the path of the EF-3 tornado sustained heavy structural damage, including collapsed roofs, blown-out windows, and destroyed garages. Utility poles were downed, and several roads became impassable due to debris. Emergency crews worked through the night to clear fallen trees and power lines while providing assistance to affected families.

No fatalities were reported, but several injuries were confirmed by local authorities. The National Weather Service has deployed survey teams to fully assess the extent of the damage and determine whether additional tornadoes occurred in the overnight hours.

How does this event compare to past severe weather outbreaks?

The timing of this outbreak comes just weeks after another deadly series of storms swept across the Southern and Midwestern U.S. in early April. That event, which occurred between April 2 and 7, produced more than 150 confirmed tornadoes, caused widespread flooding, and led to dozens of casualties and millions in damage. Weather experts say the recent frequency and intensity of tornado outbreaks are typical of early spring, especially during La Niña cycles, which tend to enhance storm activity in the central U.S.

This weekend’s system is following a similar pattern, and forecasters are closely monitoring its eastward progression. Sunday’s risk area is expected to shift toward parts of the Mississippi Valley and potentially into the southeastern U.S., further prolonging the threat.

What should residents in high-risk areas do?

Local and federal agencies are urging residents to remain indoors during active alerts, monitor NOAA Weather Radio, and use smartphone apps that provide real-time tornado warnings. Many schools and community centers in the path of the storm have already identified designated shelter spaces, while volunteers and emergency crews are preparing supplies in case of extended outages or evacuations.

Officials stress that acting quickly on weather alerts could be the difference between life and death. Given the potential for nighttime tornadoes—when visibility is low and many people are asleep—staying weather-aware around the clock is crucial.