Weather Tornado Watch: Life-Threatening Storms Sweep Across [Region]—Real-Time Updates & Safety Tips

Updated 4:15 p.m. CDT, Tuesday, May 27 2025 Severe Weather Snapshot A Tornado Watch is in effect until 10 p.m. CDT for much of Central and East Texas, southeastern Oklahoma, southwestern Arkansas, and northwestern Louisiana as a potent late-May storm system sweeps across the southern Plains. The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed parts of the region under an “Enhanced” (Level 3 of 5) risk for severe thunderstorms capable of producing large hail, destructive straight-line winds, and a few tornadoes. What Areas Are Included? • Texas: Brazos Valley (including Bryan–College Station), Waco, Austin’s I-35 corridor, the Piney Woods, and portions of the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex • Oklahoma: Southern counties from Ardmore east toward the Red River • Arkansas & Louisiana: Counties and parishes along the I-30 / I-49 corridors The watch may be expanded eastward this evening as the squall line advances toward Shreveport and Little Rock. Timing & Impacts • Peak severe window: 4 p.m.–10 p.m. • Tornado potential: Discrete supercells ahead of the main line could spin up brief to strong tornadoes, especially south of I-20. • Hail and wind: Baseball-size hail and gusts to 70 mph possible in strongest storms. • Flooding: Repeated downpours could trigger flash-flood warnings; some locales already picked up 2–3 inches from pre-dawn storms. Local Alerts KBTX reports that county officials have opened emergency operations centers and activated outdoor warning sirens to “alert on red” should a tornado warning be issued. Residents are urged to keep multiple ways to receive warnings—NOAA Weather Radio, smartphone apps, and local TV or radio. Travel & Event Disruptions • Highway travel: Expect rapid visibility drops and debris on I-35, I-45, and US-79. • Airports: Arrival/departure ground stops possible at AUS (Austin–Bergstrom) and DFW. • Memorial Day events: Several outdoor ceremonies and baseball games have been postponed or moved indoors. Safety Checklist 1. Identify your safe room (interior, windowless, lowest level). 2. Keep a charged phone, flashlight, and sturdy shoes handy. 3. Never seek shelter under an overpass; abandon vehicles for a low, flat ditch if no sturdy structure is available. 4. Secure patio furniture and loose objects that can become windborne. 5. Review your family’s communication plan in case power and cell service fail. Looking Ahead The SPC indicates the severe threat will transition to a heavy-rain and damaging-wind event overnight as the line races toward the Gulf Coast. A secondary round of strong storms could redevelop Wednesday afternoon from southern Mississippi into western Alabama. Stay Weather-Aware Continue to monitor updates from the National Weather Service, local broadcasters, and official social-media channels. If a Tornado Warning is issued, take shelter immediately—seconds matter when every minute counts.