Severe spring weather reaches all corners of the U.S.

HeatSevere spring weather reaches all corners of the U.S.Storms in the middle of the country, snow in the Rockies and heat in the Northeast are all happening this week.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Add NBC News to GoogleTornadoes slam Midwest as hot temps bake East Coast03:20Get more newsLiveonShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 18, 2026, 8:45 AM EDTBy Rebecca Cohen and Kathryn ProcivVolatile spring weather is plaguing the nation from coast to coast Monday, with storms pounding the Midwest, snow in the Rockies and record-breaking heat in the East.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.On Sunday alone, there were more than 230 reports of severe weather — and 25 reports of tornadoes in four Plains states, including Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and Minnesota. Tornadoes touched down in Nebraska on Sunday, with at least three homes sustaining major damage, and devastation seen in St. Paul, including torn roofs, scattered debris and shells of homes. Saint Libory, Nebraska, was one of the communities hit hardest by the storms, which also stretched into South Dakota and Iowa. Omaha — where the U.S. passengers who were aboard the MV Hondius are quarantining — saw a heavy line of thunderstorms that’s now moving down to Kansas City. The outbreak continues Monday with 49 million people at risk for severe storms from north Texas to northern Michigan.Flood watches are up for 5 million people across parts of eastern Kansas, southeastern Nebraska and much of Missouri. Rain and flood risk are up in southcentral Missouri, with a risk of intense storms strengthening into the evening. Some spots could see rainfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour, with locally higher rates of 5-7 inches per hour.A moderate risk is in effect for parts of Kansas into southeastern Nebraska, where the highest chance for strong to intense tornadoes are possible.In addition to significant tornadoes, hail with diameters more than 3 inches and...