May 26, 2024 Memorial weekend storms

By Zoe Sottile, Maureen Chowdhury, Matt Meyer and Kathleen Magramo, CNN

Updated 12:16 AM ET, Mon May 27, 2024

What we covered here

At least 18 people, including four children, are dead in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kentucky after suspected tornadoes struck the central United States.
Just under 109 million people nationwide were under threat of large hail, damaging winds and fierce twisters Sunday, mainly throughout the mid-Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee River valleys.
As the storms move east, the Storm Prediction Center warned of “violent tornadoes, extreme hail and corridors of widespread wind damage.” The extreme weather has caused power outages and forced people to take shelter.
The storms — and searing heat in some areas — could impact events throughout Memorial Day weekend. The start of the Indianapolis 500 was delayed due to concerns about lightning, and NBC briefly lost signal during its pre-race broadcast.

12:16 a.m. ET, May 27, 2024

Our live coverage of the deadly severe weather disrupting the Memorial Day weekend has moved here.

11:50 p.m. ET, May 26, 2024

Severe weather threat to continue through Memorial Day — with tornadoes, hail and strong winds expected

From CNN staff

A race fan makes a phone call while trying to stay dry during a weather advisory before the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 26. Darron Cummings/AP

At least 11 tornado reports were recorded on Sunday, and more severe weather is expected on Memorial Day.

Over 120 million people are at risk of severe weather Monday, concentrated over the East Coast, south of New England, where there is a level 2 out of 5 threat.

Storms that swept through Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky on Sunday continue to move east and pose ongoing threats.

Storms projected through Monday are capable of producing severe tornados, large hail, and damaging winds.

The National Weather Service advises residents to be alert and check the forecast overnight and during their Memorial Day plans.

11:29 p.m. ET, May 26, 2024

More than 642,000 customers are without power in 13 states because of severe weather

From CNN's Joe Sutton

Destroyed homes are seen after a deadly tornado rolled through Valley View, Texas on May 26. Julio Cortez/AP

Deadly storms and tornadoes have left hundreds of thousands of customers across 13 states without power late Sunday night.

There are currently more than 642,000 customers in the dark, according to poweroutage.us.

The bulk of the power outages are in Kentucky, where there are nearly 135,000 customers without power.

States experiencing power outages:

Texas: 14,048 customers without power
Kansas: 9,456 customers without power
Missouri: 86,858 customers without power
Arkansas: 67,967 customers without power
Tennessee: 10,930 customers without power
Kentucky: 135,826 customers without power
Ohio: 11,452 customers without power
West Virginia: 91,321customers without power
Virginia: 90,335 customers without power
Pennsylvania: 40,817 customers without power
Indiana: 40,817 customers without power
Illinois: 49,418 customers without power
North Carolina: 14,081 customers without power

9:36 p.m. ET, May 26, 2024

President Biden sends condolences for storm victims

From CNN's Samantha Waldenberg

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks at the White House in Washington, DC, on May 14. Win McNamee/Getty Images/File

In a statement Sunday, President Joe Biden sent condolences for the people killed in the weekend storms and "everyone who has been affected," and he thanked first responders and emergency personnel for their work.

Jill and I are praying for those who tragically lost their lives as a result of devastating tornadoes that tore through Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, leveling entire communities and leaving a path of destruction in their wake," the president's statement said.

"This comes as communities across the Midwest and South are still reeling from deadly storms and severe weather," he added.

Federal emergency management officials are conducting damage assessments, and "we stand ready to provide support as needed," Biden said.

10:26 p.m. ET, May 26, 2024

St. Louis Cardinals game estimated to begin at 9:40 p.m. — if weather permits

From CNN's Jacob Lev

Busch Stadium in St. Louis is seen during a weather delay on May 26. Jeff Curry/USA Today Sports/Reuters

After an almost two-hour delay due to severe storms in the St. Louis area, the Cardinals game against the Chicago Cubs is estimated to begin at 9:40 p.m. local time Sunday if the weather permits, the team announced.

First pitch was scheduled for 7:10 p.m., but the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for St. Louis and areas south of the city.

Video on social media appeared to show stairwells and the outfield grass flooded at Busch Stadium, where the game is supposed to be played.

This post has been updated.

8:54 p.m. ET, May 26, 2024

Arkansas death toll rises to 8 people

From CNN’s Joe Sutton

The severe weather that swept through Arkansas killed at least eight people in the state, Arkansas Department of Public Safety spokesperson Cindy Murphy told CNN Sunday evening. Previously, officials had reported there were at least five deaths in the state.

At least one person died in Boone County, one in Baxter County, three in Benton County and three in Marion County.

The updated toll means the powerful storm system has killed at least 18 people across four states.

According to officials:

8 people were killed in Arkansas

7 people were killed in Texas

2 people were killed in Oklahoma

1 person was killed in Kentucky

8:29 p.m. ET, May 26, 2024

New tornado watch issued for parts of Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky until 1 a.m. CDT

From CNN Meteorologist Elliana Hebert

A new tornado watch has been issued by the Storm Prediction Center for more than 3 million people living in parts of Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky, including Louisville, Kentucky, and Evansville, Indiana.

The watch is in effect until 1 a.m. CDT Monday.

“Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings,” the prediction center said.

Several tornadoes are possible, along with hail bigger than the size of baseballs and widespread wind gusts reaching up to 85 mph.

This latest watch brings the number of Americans under tornado watches to 6.6 million.

7:56 p.m. ET, May 26, 2024

National Weather Service finds tornado that struck Valley View, Texas, was at least EF-2

From CNN's Elisa Raffa

Damage is seen at a truck stop the morning after a tornado on May 26 in Valley View, Texas. Julio Cortez/AP

After conducting storm surveys from the tornadoes that struck northern Texas Saturday night, the National Weather Service said initial findings indicate a tornado of at least EF-2 strength struck the city of Valley View.

“Extensive damage was found in Cooke County, primarily south of Valley View near the Cooke/Denton County line, with a preliminary rating of EF-2 with estimated maximum winds of 135 mph,” the weather service said.

Additionally, the survey team said, “Damage found in south Montague County was consistent with an EF-2 tornado with estimated maximum winds of 125 mph." This tornado was just south of Forestburg, Texas.

Additional details about damage and path length for both tornadoes will be released as the surveys are complete.

Surveys are still ongoing near Pilot Point in Denton County, Celina in Collin County and other areas in north Texas.

“Rating information for the damage in these areas will be released when teams complete their assessments. Complete details including track, length, width and final ratings are expected to be finalized over the next several days,” the weather service said.

7:39 p.m. ET, May 26, 2024

Tornado confirmed by radar in St. Louis metro area

From CNN Meteorologist Elliana Hebert

A tornado was confirmed by radar in the area of St. Louis, Missouri, and in suburbs south of the city.

A tornado warning had also been issued for the area by the National Weather Service, which advised residents to take cover.

The impacts of this tornado could include flying debris, destruction to mobile homes and severe damage to trees, roofs and vehicles.

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