Severe thunderstorms and excessive rainfall have led to dangerous situations in parts of the south-central U.S. The likelihood
of violent thunderstorms unleashing powerful, long-lived tornadoes exists this afternoon for eastern Texas,
southeast Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. Overnight, the threat of severe storms, including additional tornadoes, is expected to expand eastward into western Kentucky, western Tennessee, Mississippi and western Alabama. All residents in the areas at risk are urged to monitor weather events very closely. Excessive amounts of
rainfall continue to pound down on locations from northern Texas and Oklahoma eastward through the Ohio Valley. Tonight, the heaviest rain is forecast to focus on areas from Arkansas to Ohio. Parts of northern Arkansas and southeast Missouri could be inundated by 3 to 5 inches of additional rainfall. Flash flooding will be widespread. Elsewhere, high wind warnings are posted for extreme southeast Texas and much of the Louisiana coast. High surf warnings and advisories are in effect farther east, along the Alabama and Florida Panhandle coasts