Tornadoes, flash floods threaten millions from Texas to Missouri

Fears of flash flooding followed a series of potentially life-threatening tornadoes that swept through parts of Texas and Oklahoma Monday night.

A total of 14 tornadoes were confirmed in central Oklahoma and western Texas, carrying warnings of "considerable" damage to homes, businesses and vehicles and the possibility of "complete destruction."

At least two of them were "large and extremely dangerous," according to the National Weather Service: one in Greer County, Oklahoma, and another in Dickens County, Texas.

More than 4 million people are still in harm's way from Texas to Missouri as forecasters warned of violent tornadoes overnight, CNN meteorologist Michael Guy said.

Violent tornadoes make up only 0.5% of all tornadoes but account for about half of all tornado deaths, CNN meteorologist Brandon Miller said.

In addition to threats from tornadoes, more than 50 million people are at risk of other severe weather, including fierce winds, large hail and flash flooding.

"There is also a high risk for flash flooding from parts of Oklahoma and Kansas, where rainfall totals of 3-6 inches will fall on already saturated ground," CNN meteorologist Dave Hennen said.

Threats to watch for overnight

In Texas, a tornado warning remained in effect Monday night for counties including northwestern Nolan, southwestern Fisher and northeastern Mitchell County.

The advisories warned of "flying debris" and the likelihood of damage to roofs, windows and vehicles.

The NWS Storm Prediction Center also issued a severe thunderstorm watch for portions of south-central Missouri.

Primary threats include scattered damaging winds, significant gusts to 75 mph, very large hail events and a possible tornado or two.

Destructive hail and brutal winds are also possible Tuesday.

Oklahoma City and Texas cities such as Lubbock, Amarillo and Abilene could get pounded with baseball-sized hail and hurricane-force winds, the NWS said.

The damage so far

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management issued a weather update Monday at 7:30 p.m. Central Time with the following highlights:

Greer County: 3 homes damaged, 1 apartment complex with roof damage, damage to fairgrounds and airport. Numerous power lines down

Garvin County: 100 sandbags requested for possible river flooding

Logan County: Power polls down, tree damage, damage to a barn

Noble County: Roof damage to homes, power lines down, barns damaged

So far, power outages statewide have reached 2,085.

Numerous highways are closed due to high water or storm debris. Authorities warned drivers to stay off the road in anticipation of additional flooding expected overnight.

"You can almost smell them coming"

Earlier Monday, the Storm Prediction Center issued a rare "particularly dangerous situation" tornado watch for much of western and central Oklahoma, including the entire Oklahoma City metro area.

The designation warned of potentially "intense and long-track tornadoes" with severe wind in excess of 75 mph, and hail larger than two inches.

The watch area includes Moore, where a devastating tornado killed 24 people in 2013. On Monday, the weather advisories brought back memories of the devastation, almost six years later to the day.

After Amber Anderson's home was destroyed in 2013, her family chose a new one with a large underground storm shelter.

Her home is behind Plaza Towers Elementary School, where seven children were killed in 2013. Her husband and brother-in-law helped clear collapsed walls from the school's wreckage, she said.

She described the threat on the anniversary of the 2013 storm as "anxiety inducing." Just talking about it nearly brings her to tears.

She spent Sunday stocking up on storm shelter supplies, including boots and gloves in case they have to dig neighbors out of their homes, she said. It was one of the lessons she learned from the last tornado.

"You can feel it in the air. Once you've been in a tornado, you can almost smell them coming," she said, recalling a "misty, dirty lake water smell."

Closures across Oklahoma

The risk is so high, schools are closed in some of the hardiest, most storm-weathered cities, including Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

Tinker Air Force Base, about 8 miles southeast of Oklahoma City, evacuated ahead of the storm. Several airlines canceled afternoon and evening flights at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City.

52 tornadoes in 3 days

States such as Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas are still reeling from weekend tornadoes and storms.

In the past three days, 52 tornadoes were reported across seven states.

In Ville Platte, Louisiana, a possible tornado damaged more than 50 homes and businesses, CNN affiliate WBRZ reported.

Further west, the storm wiped out roofs, barns and trees in DeRidder, CNN affiliate KPLC reported.

"We woke up to the sound of glass breaking, and went in and saw the window in the kitchen was broken," resident Dorine Bearden told KPLC.

"Before, I had always told my husband it looked like we lived in a park," she said. "And when I looked out there, that park was gone. It was heartbreaking."

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