Chicago, Midwest Brace for Thunderstorms While Floods Hit Texas

As the U.S. Gulf coast braces for flooding, there’s a moderate level 4 risk of severe thunderstorms across central Illinois and Indiana.

The risk for Chicago is one notch lower, but in all 46 million people across parts of 11 states face the threat of severe thunderstorms, the U.S. Storm Prediction Center said. That includes the chance of intense tornadoes, baseball-sized hail and some hurricane-force wind gusts, the agency added.

“Take precautions, turn on alerts, and stay safe,” Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said in a BlueSky post late Tuesday.

Flood watches and warnings cover parts of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, according to the National Weather Service.

In addition to the storm threats, there are red flag fire warnings across parts of nine states, including Colorado, Nebraska and Utah, the weather service said. There is an elevated risk for wildfires because of dry winds sweeping across the western U.S., the Storm Prediction Center said.

Parts of Texas not affected by the potential tropical storm will be hot, with an extreme heat warning in place from noon on Wednesday until Thursday evening. San Antonio is forecast to reach 98F (37C) on Thursday and Austin 97F, while eastern New Mexico and central Oklahoma will also be impacted.