KEY POINTS

  • The National Weather Service announced tornado watches in a large part of the state
  • Texas has been fighting wildfires fueled by severe weather
  • Forecasters expect inclement weather in the South and Mid-Atlantic this week

Multiple tornadoes were reported across Texas on Monday as the U.S. Weather Prediction Center warned of severe weather through Thursday in the Southeast. The National Weather Service (NWS) has also announced tornado watches in a large part of the state.

In Bowie, significant damage was reported in Jacksboro after a tornado swept the area and damaged the roof of the Jacksboro High School and the Jacksboro Elementary School gymnasium, NBC DWF reported. A tornado outbreak was also reported in Round Rock and eastern Williamson County Monday afternoon amid thunderstorms. A Tornado Watch was extended for the Austin Metro area and other eastern counties until 1 a.m. Tuesday, KXAN reported. Round Rock Mayor Craig Morgan said the city would utilize “every resource to assist our citizens.”

The Weather Prediction Center said in its Tuesday to Thursday projection that “heavy to excessive rainfall together with severe thunderstorms” are “likely across the Deep South through early Wednesday. The center also warned of a low pressure system “currently developing over the southern Plains.” The said system is expected to bring about “widespread inclement weather” in the mid-section of the U.S. on Tuesday before it moves into the eastern region by Wednesday.

The center said “significant flash flooding and severe weather event” is expected through Tuesday, with rainfall totals of 2-3 inches and rainfall rates of 2-3 inches per hour. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has since directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to mobilize state resources that should provide assistance to areas expected to experience flash flooding and severe weather Tuesday.

Texas is also battling with continuous wildfires as inclement weather further fuels the blazes. The Texas A&M Forest Service said Monday that 178 wildfires burned more than 108,000 acres across the state over the past week, CNN reported. Despite the weather challenges in containing wildfires, Hood County Officials said the Big L Fire, which has burned over 11,000 acres, is now “under control.”

Aside from the Texas tornadoes and thunderstorms, severe weather is also expected during the first half of the week in a large swath of the South and Mid-Atlantic, NBC News reported. Forecasters are expecting possible high winds above 60 mph as well as electrical storms, hail the size of softballs, and tornadoes through Wednesday.

The following severe weather warnings and watches are in place through Tuesday:

Tornado Warnings

  • Parts of northeastern Texas
  • East central Smith County
  • Southwestern Upshur County
  • West central Gregg County
  • Dallas - Fort Worth metro area

Tornado Watches

  • Parts of Central Texas
  • Parts of South Central Texas
  • Parts of Southeast Texas

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

  • Parts of South Central Texas, including Northern Duval County, East Central Webb County, Southern McMullen County, Southwestern Live Oak County

Flood Watches

  • Parts of Arkansas
  • Parts of Louisiana
  • Parts of Texas

Flood Warnings

  • Parts of North Dakota
  • Some rivers in Richland County, Cass and Clay Counties, Norman County, and Walsh, Marshall, Polk, and Grand Forks Counties

    Aftermath of a tornado in a widespread storm system that touched down in Round Rock
    Several tornadoes were reported across Texas Monday. In photo: a view of a damaged building after a tornado in a widespread storm system touched down in Round Rock, Texas, U.S., March 21, 2022. Reuters / TAMIR KALIFA
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