Weather
Large tornado touchdown in St. Louis
ST. LOUIS, Mo. — A large and dangerous tornado has been confirmed by the National Weather Service in the Clayton area of St. Louis County.
A Tornado Warning is currently in effect for St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and portions of the Metro East, including Granite City and Madison County, through 3:15 p.m. Friday.
Residents in affected areas are strongly urged to take immediate shelter.
The tornado is moving eastward and poses a significant threat to life and property.
In addition, meteorologists have issued multiple tornado warnings:
- St. James and Crawford County: Warning in effect through 2:30 p.m.
- Rolla and surrounding communities: A previous warning was issued through 2:00 p.m.
A Weather Impact Alert has been issued for Friday afternoon as a potent system moves through the region.
The threat window is between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., during which storms are capable of producing:
- Tornadoes
- Baseball-sized hail
- Damaging winds
The Storm Prediction Center has elevated the St. Louis metro area to a Level 4 out of 5 risk—classified as Moderate Risk—on its severe weather scale.
This upgrade, announced Thursday afternoon, highlights the increasing confidence in the potential for widespread severe weather.
While the greatest risk may be centered in southeastern Missouri and into Illinois, severe storms remain possible across the entire region, including to the northwest.
Forecasters note that storm development remains uncertain, and interactions between multiple cells could rapidly change the situation as the afternoon progresses.
Key Reminders:
- Not everyone will experience rainfall or a tornado, but areas in the warning zones must remain alert.
- Tornado sirens and alerts may sound with little warning, so have a plan in place.
- Monitor local news, NOAA weather radio, or trusted weather apps for real-time updates.
Stay indoors, avoid windows, and move to a basement or interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
If you are outdoors or in a vehicle, seek shelter in a nearby building or lie flat in a low-lying area away from vehicles and trees if no shelter is available.
NEW JERSEY – Torrential rainfall has triggered widespread flash flooding across northern New Jersey, leaving roadways submerged, traffic paralyzed, and numerous motorists stranded.
In response to the rapidly deteriorating conditions, Governor Phil Murphy declared a State of Emergency Monday evening at 7:33 p.m., urging residents to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.
“Please stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. Stay safe, New Jersey,” Murphy wrote in a statement released on social media.
The flash flooding has severely impacted several major roadways, including:
- Route 22: Entire sections of the highway were completely underwater, with numerous vehicles stalled in rising floodwaters. Emergency responders are on scene assisting trapped motorists.
- New Jersey Turnpike: Near Newark, both northbound and southbound lanes experienced heavy flooding, resulting in lane closures and significant traffic delays. Some areas of the Turnpike are reported to be completely impassable as water levels continue to rise.
Residents described scenes of devastation, with roads transformed into rivers and entire neighborhoods inundated. Video footage from affected areas shows cars partially submerged, and water rushing through intersections and parking lots.
Officials have issued a strong warning: “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.” Flash flooding remains an active threat as more rain is forecast throughout the evening and into Tuesday.
Emergency management teams across the state are working to coordinate response efforts, deploy high-water rescue vehicles, and mitigate further flooding.
Despite the swift response, public reaction has been mixed, with some residents criticizing the timing and preparedness of local and state agencies.
One social media user remarked, “Don’t bother calling FEMA, nobody will answer,” reflecting growing frustration over emergency response delays.
The duration of the State of Emergency remains unclear, but officials stress that residents should continue to monitor official alerts, follow emergency guidance, and contact 2-1-1 for shelter assistance if displaced.
If you are experiencing a flood-related emergency, contact local authorities immediately.
This is a developing situation. More updates will follow as the weather event continues to unfold.