Damaging Storms Sweep Central States with Flash Floods, High Winds, and Oklahoma Hospital Evacuations

Severe Weather Pattern Takes Hold

A sprawling storm system is driving dangerous weather across the central United States this week. Heavy rain, large hail, damaging winds, and even tornadoes are in the forecast from the Plains to the Mississippi Valley.

On September 23, forecasters expected storms stretching from the Great Lakes down into the southern Plains, covering parts of Oklahoma, AR, Texas, and Missouri. Wind gusts could reach 60 to 70 miles per hour. More than 5.3 million people were placed under flood watches, including regions of Kansas, MO, and Arkansas.

Meteorologists warned that even though dry soils in some areas could soak up rain, sudden downpours would overwhelm the ground and create dangerous flash flooding.

Major cities at risk included Tulsa, OK, and Little Rock, AR. Another zone of damaging winds extended into the Mid-Atlantic, including Philadelphia, PA, and Baltimore, MD.

Storm Impacts in Oklahoma

In Sallisaw, OK, storms tore part of the roof from Northeastern Health System Sequoyah hospital. Nine patients were evacuated after rain poured into the building. Emergency workers quickly began covering the damaged roof with tarps and laying sandbags to hold off more water.

“We’re gathering tarps and fill some sandbags up, and we’re going to try to prevent more water getting inside," said Brad Taylor, Sequoyah County’s Emergency Management director.

No injuries were reported at the hospital or nearby neighborhoods. Still, the storm left its mark. Outside the facility, downed tree limbs and closed roads showed the strength of the weather system. Some homes in Sallisaw were damaged, along with trees, power lines, and poles.

City officials said the hospital’s emergency room had to be taken “out of commission" for several hours. A mobile emergency unit was expected to be operational by 10 p.m., while other hospitals in the region handled diverted patients.

Rainfall and Flooding Concerns

Rain fell at rates of up to two inches per hour across parts of Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. In Franklin County, AR, flash flooding swamped areas south of Interstate 40. Meteorologists said the storms would continue pushing east through the week, threatening cities from Houston, TX, to Columbus, OH, and Nashville, TN.

By September 24, widespread rain and thunderstorms are expected from the Ohio Valley down to the Gulf Coast. By September 25, severe storms could reach into southeastern Pennsylvania, the Carolinas, and Alabama.

Cooler Air Behind the Front

As the storms pass, a cold front will drag cooler air into the central U.S. Highs will drop into the 50s and 60s across the central Rockies and nearby Plains, with cooler conditions spreading eastward. By midweek, the Mississippi Valley and southern Plains will see temperatures slip into the 70s.

Rip Current Danger on the East Coast

While severe weather pounds the central states, Hurricane Gabrielle in the Atlantic is stirring up surf along the East Coast. Forecasters warned of dangerous rip currents from Florida through Georgia, into the Carolinas, VA, Delaware, NJ, and Long Island.

The risk remains moderate to high through midweek, posing hazards for swimmers even far from the hurricane’s center.

Voices from the Community

Brad Taylor, Sequoyah County Emergency Management: “We’re gathering tarps and fill some sandbags up, and we’re going to try to prevent more water getting inside. And we’re going to be moving some stuff out of the way."

Brian Heverly, Sallisaw City Manager: “The hospital was expected to remain out of commission for a few hours to bring in a mobile emergency room. Until then, the emergency room operations were being diverted to other hospitals in the area."