A powerful storm system is set to unleash severe weather across the central United States, beginning Wednesday (April 2) and continuing through the weekend. This once-in-a-generation event is expected to bring tornadoes, historic rainfall, and flash flooding to millions of Americans.

The National Weather Service has issued warnings for a tornado outbreak and significant flooding from Texas to Ohio. A tornado watch is in effect for Oklahoma, eastern Kansas, and northwest Missouri, with at least two tornadoes already reported in Missouri. The storm poses a high risk for destructive tornadoes, with EF3+ strength, large hail, and winds exceeding 70 mph, particularly in areas from Jonesboro, Arkansas, to Memphis, Tennessee, and Paducah, Kentucky.

Nearly 4 million people in Arkansas, northern Mississippi, and western Tennessee are under a particularly dangerous situation (PDS) flood watch. The storm is expected to bring 10 to 15 inches of rain in some areas, with the heaviest rainfall anticipated from Wednesday through Sunday.

The severe weather threat will persist for several days, affecting over 72 million people.

The National Weather Service warns that rainfall could reach levels seen only once in a generation, potentially causing life-threatening flash flooding across the Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee valleys.

The storm system is expected to move east by Sunday, bringing rain to the Southeast into early next week.