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A significant storm system moved across the United States on Friday, resulting in overturned semitrucks on highways and exacerbating wildfires in Texas and Oklahoma, prompting evacuation orders in at least one community. Tornado watches were in effect for areas stretching from the Mississippi Valley into the Deep South, extending into Saturday.
The threat of fire was particularly acute in Leedey, Oklahoma, a small town of approximately 400 residents. Emergency services urged locals to evacuate due to fast-spreading wildfires driven by dry conditions and strong winds. The Oklahoma State Patrol reported on social media that the high winds had knocked over numerous tractor-trailers.
Several overturned semis are being managed across the state, including one on US 183 near Hobart. We have also paused the transportation of oversized loads in several counties to mitigate similar incidents. pic.twitter.com/odF5Obp4QN
— OK Highway Patrol/DPS (@OHPDPS) March 14, 2025
“It’s quite dangerous out here,” said Charles Daniel, a truck driver navigating the high winds. “There’s a lot of sand and dirt in the air. I’m keeping my speed under 55 mph for safety; I’m worried the truck could tip over.”
The National Weather Service (NWS) projected severe weather conditions affecting over 100 million people across a wide area of the U.S. Powerful wind gusts were anticipated, potentially reaching 80 mph from the Canadian border down to Texas.
Looking ahead to the weekend, the threat of severe storms is expected to persist, with particularly high risks for tornadoes and damaging winds in Mississippi and Alabama. Heavy rainfall is also predicted to lead to possible flash flooding on parts of the East Coast by Sunday.
While March often sees significant weather extremes, this particular storm is noted for its large scope and intensity. Bill Bunting of the Storm Prediction Center remarked, “What sets this storm apart is its size and severity, leading to notable impacts across a vast area.”
Tornado Risks Intensify with Storm System
The Storm Prediction Center highlighted that fast-moving storms may generate tornadoes and potential hail as large as baseballs. The most considerable danger is expected to arise from straight-line winds that may reach or exceed hurricane force, with some gusts projected to hit 100 mph.
Regions identified as most vulnerable include eastern Missouri, much of Illinois, and parts of Iowa, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi, impacting approximately 47 million people from Madison, Wisconsin to Birmingham, Alabama.
Forecasters expressed heightened concern that severe thunderstorms in southern areas could lead to an increased risk of tornadoes.
The Storm Prediction Center has issued a level 5 risk, the highest classification for severe storms, in Gulf states for Saturday and into Sunday, indicating a potential tornado outbreak across the central Gulf Coast and into the Tennessee Valley.
“We fear the potential for destructive tornadoes tomorrow in the southern regions,” Bunting warned.
In preparation, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey declared a state of emergency on Friday, advising residents throughout the state to remain vigilant throughout the night and into the weekend.
Winter Weather Forecast for Northern Plains
In another part of the storm system, heavy snow accompanied by strong winds could make travel hazardous in the Rockies and Northern Plains. Blizzard conditions are anticipated in areas of the Dakotas and Minnesota.
Winter storm warnings that were issued earlier remained in effect in mountainous sections of Arizona and Utah, where snowfall could surpass a foot. Authorities cautioned about poor visibility and icy road conditions; heavy snow in northern Arizona resulted in the closure of certain stretches of Interstate 40.
This winter storm follows an earlier weather pattern that saw up to three feet of snowfall across the Sierra Nevada.
Wildfire Risks Amid Unfavorable Weather Conditions
Concurrent with the storm system, wildfires across the Southern Plains were poised to grow rapidly due to dry and windy conditions.
A wildfire in Roberts County, Texas, near Amarillo, expanded dramatically from under a square mile to approximately 12.5 square miles in size, as reported by the Texas A&M University Forest Service.
The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management activated its operations center in response to several fast-moving fires, which resulted in evacuation orders for residents in Leedey and certain rural areas near Norman.
High winds have led to power outages impacting more than 210,000 customers across Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri, according to reports from PowerOutage.us.
The NWS cautioned that dry thunderstorms in parts of Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas increase the risk of lightning igniting fires, as rainfall is minimal.
In response to the forecasted severe weather, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe declared a state of emergency on Friday, encouraging residents to stay attentive to weather reports and adhere to official guidance.
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