A potent cold front sweeping across the Central U.S. barreled eastward Saturday, triggering strong to severe storms from Texas up through the Midwest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over most of the day, roughly 12 million people from eastern Texas up through western Kentucky were under a slight risk for severe weather, including the potential for damaging winds, large hail and even a few tornadoes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With storms marching east, the slight risk area was reduced Saturday night. However, over 6 million across the Lower and Mid-Mississippi River Valley remain under a slight risk through Saturday night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Parts of southeast Arkansas, northeast Louisiana, and central and southern Mississippi were under a tornado watch through 3 a.m. CT. The National Weather Service said a couple tornadoes are possible, along with scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph and some large hail. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A tornado watch was also in effect for portions of northwestern Louisiana, northeastern Texas, southwest Arkansas and far southeastern Oklahoma until 11 p.m. CT.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Heavy downpours were also possible, putting the region at risk for flash flooding. With moderate to severe drought impacting parts of the Mississippi River Valley in recent weeks, 1 to 3 inches of rainfall over a fairly short period of time could lead to flash flooding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, parts of eastern Arkansas, northern Mississippi and western Tennessee remained under a severe thunderstorm watch\u00a0until 1 a.m. CT, with scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible — and even a tornado or two.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Storms moving through parts of Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri earlier Saturday accounted for damaging winds, hail and even flash flooding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There were numerous reports of damaging wind reported just northwest of Kansas City, Kansas, claiming tree damage and downed power lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, two barns and one home were reportedly struck by lightning in Rogersville, Missouri, which started a small fire on the barn and partially collapsed the porch of the home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another 60-mph wind gust from storms was reported near Sallisaw, Oklahoma, and up to quarter-size hail was reported in Missouri.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More reports of damaging winds observed across portions of northwestern Louisiana, remarking that storms brought down trees and powerlines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n