Two dead as THIRTY-SEVEN tornadoes slam the Midwest for a second day flattening homes and putting 22 million people on flood alert as Colorado experiences a VERY late winter spell

  • Missouri State Highway Patrol said an SUV skidded across the center of U.S. 160 and struck a tractor-trailer, killing both people in the SUV, Brandon Beasley, 23, and his 24-year-old wife, Christin, of Willard, Missouri
  • An 18-year-old woman was swept off a flooded road near Joplin Monday and stranded overnight until nearby residents heard her yelling
  • Another twister Tuesday afternoon hit a drive-thru wild animal park in southern Missouri but the animals were said to be okay 
  • Heavy rain and high winds have swept across the Midwest and Great Plains bringing devastation to the region
  • Four million residents were under a flash flood emergency warning on Tuesday morning following severe rain
  • Some 37 tornadoes have been reported so far across Oklahoma, Texas , Kansas and Missouri, while rescue crews in boats pulled at least 50 people from flood waters as heavy downpours inundated roads and homes 
  • Already struggling farmers in Arkansas and Missouri are bracing themselves for more wet weather sweeping across the southern Great Plains, continuing to delay crucial corn and soybean planting across the region
  • Meanwhile in Colorado, snow has continued to fall well into May, with 19 inches since Monday in some parts  - the latest it has fallen in more than four decades, leaving houses and cars covered and roads coated in ice 

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A dangerous storm system in the Midwest produced dozens of tornadoes for the second consecutive day Tuesday, leaving two dead, demolishing a racetrack grandstand and damaging a wild animal park. 

 The Missouri State Highway Patrol said an SUV skidded across the center of U.S. 160 and struck a tractor-trailer, killing Brandon Beasley, 23, and his 24-year-old wife, Christin, of Willard, Missouri, who were in the SUV. 

The severe weather that started in the Southern Plains Monday night and moved to the northeast. Missouri and parts of Illinois and Arkansas were in the crosshairs Tuesday. By Wednesday, the storm will move into Great Lakes region, where it will weaken. But another storm system was gathering steam for later this week, potentially covering an area from Texas to Chicago, according to the National Weather Service.

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The weather service Storm Prediction Center website listed 37 reports of tornadoes on Tuesday in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska

The weather service Storm Prediction Center website listed 37 reports of tornadoes on Tuesday in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska

Flooding in Kingfisher, Okla. is pictured Tuesday, May 21, 2019. Flooding following heavy rains was an issue across the state

Flooding in Kingfisher, Okla. is pictured Tuesday, May 21, 2019. Flooding following heavy rains was an issue across the state

Electric lines are being replaced near Mangum, Oklahoma, following dangerous storms

Electric lines are being replaced near Mangum, Oklahoma, following dangerous storms

The skies grew dark over St. Louis before nightfall Tuesday and a tornado warning was issued for the city and surrounding suburbs, but the storm passed overhead without producing the rotation that often spawns tornadoes and the city was mostly spared except for heavy rain

The skies grew dark over St. Louis before nightfall Tuesday and a tornado warning was issued for the city and surrounding suburbs, but the storm passed overhead without producing the rotation that often spawns tornadoes and the city was mostly spared except for heavy rain

, Brandon Beasley, 23, and his 24-year-old wife, Christin, of Willard, Missouri
The couple appear to have one child

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said an SUV skidded across the center of U.S. 160 and struck a tractor-trailer, killing both people in the SUV, Brandon Beasley, 23, and his 24-year-old wife, Christin, of Willard, Missouri.

Another twister Tuesday afternoon hit a drive-thru wild animal park in southern Missouri. Webster County Emergency Management Director Tom Simmons said buildings were damaged at the Wild Animal Safari near Strafford, but there were no reports that people or animals were injured. All of the animals were accounted for.

Simmons said about a half-dozen homes were damaged in the county. A tractor-trailer was blown off a highway.

Missouri authorities also reported several water rescues from flash flooding. Among them was an 18-year-old woman who was swept off a flooded road near Joplin Monday and stranded overnight until nearby residents heard her yelling. She had only minor injuries.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson declared a state of emergency, citing worsening flood concerns and soil inundation, as well as forecasts calling severe storms and possible tornadoes into Wednesday morning

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson declared a state of emergency, citing worsening flood concerns and soil inundation, as well as forecasts calling severe storms and possible tornadoes into Wednesday morning

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson declared a state of emergency, citing worsening flood concerns and soil inundation, as well as forecasts calling severe storms and possible tornadoes into Wednesday morning.

The skies grew dark over St. Louis before nightfall Tuesday and a tornado warning was issued for the city and surrounding suburbs, but the storm passed overhead without producing the rotation that often spawns tornadoes and the city was mostly spared except for heavy rain.

'The danger has passed for the St. Louis area,' said National Weather Service St. Louis meteorologist Jason Gasselin.

With a potentially dangerous storm bearing down on St. Louis, baseball's Cardinals were taking no chances, calling off a Tuesday night game against the cross-state rival Kansas City Royals.

Heavy snow melt from the north and significant spring rains have led to waves of flooding in Missouri, and President Donald Trump on Monday issued a major disaster declaration for 13 counties in the state damaged by March flooding.

The Missouri River is expected to reach major flood stage by the end of the week at Jefferson City, Hermann, St. Charles and elsewhere. The levee near Jefferson City's airport holds back water up to 30 feet (9.14 meters), Cole County Emergency Manager Bill Farr said, but the National Weather Service expects a crest of 32.3 feet (9.85 meters) Thursday. Sandbagging won't help because the levee is too long, he said.

'We're just keeping our fingers crossed,' Farr said.

Wreckage at the Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri. A lot of the race track saw damage

Wreckage at the Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri. A lot of the race track saw damage

A woman in Oklahoma City had to hold onto a tree while she was bombarded by flood waters around North West 178th Street and Council Road

A woman in Oklahoma City had to hold onto a tree while she was bombarded by flood waters around North West 178th Street and Council Road

Heavy rain, high winds and hail has swept across the central states, bringing devastation to the region during a brutally wet spring period, leaving 22 million people braced for more flash flooding.

Four million residents were under a flash flood 'emergency warning' on Tuesday morning, including in Oklahoma, where as much as five feet of water entered homes in Hominy, to the northeast of the state.

The weather service Storm Prediction Center website listed 37 reports of tornadoes on Tuesday in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Rescue crews in boats pulled at least 50 people from flood waters as heavy downpours inundated roads and homes, said Oklahoma Emergency Management Agency. 

A woman in Oklahoma City had to hold onto a tree while she was bombarded by flood waters around North West 178th Street and Council Road. Tow rope was used to carry her out of the waters.

Three random men helped save the woman, who went underwater at various points, KFOR reports

Heavy rain, high winds and hail have swept across Oklahoma, bringing devastation in the region. Four million residents were under a flash flood emergency warning on Tuesday morning, including in Tulsa, while as much as five feet of water entered some homes in Hominy, to the northeast of the state. One driver in Enid was forced to drive through high waters on Monday

Heavy rain, high winds and hail have swept across Oklahoma, bringing devastation in the region. Four million residents were under a flash flood emergency warning on Tuesday morning, including in Tulsa, while as much as five feet of water entered some homes in Hominy, to the northeast of the state. One driver in Enid was forced to drive through high waters on Monday

Colorado: Matt Smith returns to his stranded car north of Colorado Springs on Tuesday, 21 May.  He slid off the road on his way back from dropping his girlfriend off at Denver International Airport. He was waiting for a tow truck to rescue him

Colorado: Matt Smith returns to his stranded car north of Colorado Springs on Tuesday, 21 May.  He slid off the road on his way back from dropping his girlfriend off at Denver International Airport. He was waiting for a tow truck to rescue him

Houses have been devastated and trees felled following the devastating flash flooding in Peggs, Oklahoma Tuesday

Houses have been devastated and trees felled following the devastating flash flooding in Peggs, Oklahoma Tuesday

Oklahoma: A house in Tulsa Oklahoma was crushed overnight by a falling tree uprooted by heavy winds and flash flooding

Oklahoma: A house in Tulsa Oklahoma was crushed overnight by a falling tree uprooted by heavy winds and flash flooding

Oklahoma: David Dick wades out of the water after checking on his flooded home in Sperry, Oklahoma. A tornado touched down near Tulsa International Airport amid storms in the Southern Plains that brought a deluge of rain and powerful winds

Oklahoma: David Dick wades out of the water after checking on his flooded home in Sperry, Oklahoma. A tornado touched down near Tulsa International Airport amid storms in the Southern Plains that brought a deluge of rain and powerful winds

Colorado: Jennifer Saultz sweeps the snow off her bushes outside her home on in Colorado Springs after seeing nearly 19 inches of snow since Monday. Snow has continued to fall well into May - the latest it has fallen in more than four decades, leaving houses and cars covered and roads coated in black ice

Colorado: Jennifer Saultz sweeps the snow off her bushes outside her home on in Colorado Springs after seeing nearly 19 inches of snow since Monday. Snow has continued to fall well into May - the latest it has fallen in more than four decades, leaving houses and cars covered and roads coated in black ice

Magnum, Oklahoma: Some 37 tornadoes have been reported so far, while four people were rescued by emergency services following flooding. One of the twisters was captured on camera in Magnum, Oklahoma (pictured). This tornado occurred May 20

Magnum, Oklahoma: Some 37 tornadoes have been reported so far, while four people were rescued by emergency services following flooding. One of the twisters was captured on camera in Magnum, Oklahoma (pictured). This tornado occurred May 20

Colorado: 4x4 drives around a large tree limb blocking the lane in Colorado following 19 inches of snowfall in El Paso County

Colorado: 4x4 drives around a large tree limb blocking the lane in Colorado following 19 inches of snowfall in El Paso County

Meanwhile in Colorado, snow has continued to fall well into May - the latest it has fallen in more than four decades, leaving houses and cars covered and roads coated in black ice.

Already struggling farmers in Arkansas and Missouri are bracing themselves for more wet weather sweeping across the southern Great Plains, delaying crucial corn and soybean planting in the region. 

Residents were being rescued from their homes this morning following flash flooding in Stillwater, about 50 miles northeast of Oklahoma City. 

'It's real dangerous,' said Ross Reuter, a spokesman for Canadian County, where 10 people were rescued. 'Motorists get out into the swift water, thinking they can get across and it ends up being deeper than they think.'

Parts of the state have received six to eight inches of rain since Monday, and some 4 million people remained under a flash flood warning or watch in the region, the National Weather Service said.

While, the twister near Tulsa International Airport was one of at least 37 that have ripped through the region since late Monday evening, with more expected to hit over the next 24 hours, according to the NWS. 

'More tornadoes are on the way today,' said NWS forecaster Rich Otto.

El Paso County: Steve Fairclough shovels through deep, heavy snow in Monument, Colorado
El Paso County: A broken tree limb lies on top of a stop sign at the corner of Bonfoy Avenue and San Rafael Street in Colorado Springs

Steve Fairclough shovels through deep, heavy snow in Monument, Colorado. The heavy snow is the latest it has fallen in more than four decades, leaving houses and cars covered and roads coated in black ice, amid an already brutally wet spring period

Oklahoma City: Multiple counties across Oklahoma are dealing with flash floods. Roads were closed and traffic brought to a stand still in low-lying areas around Oklahoma City. Many motorists had to be rescued as their vehicles became trapped by rising water. The flash flooding came on the heels of multiple tornadoes that touched down on Monday

Oklahoma City: Multiple counties across Oklahoma are dealing with flash floods. Roads were closed and traffic brought to a stand still in low-lying areas around Oklahoma City. Many motorists had to be rescued as their vehicles became trapped by rising water. The flash flooding came on the heels of multiple tornadoes that touched down on Monday

Houses in Oklahoma experienced as much as five feet of flooding following unusually heavy rainfall for this time of year

Houses in Oklahoma experienced as much as five feet of flooding following unusually heavy rainfall for this time of year

Enid, Oklahoma: The underpass on north Grand is closed due to high water on Monday. The devastating weather has swept across the southern Great Plains is now headed to Arkansas and Missouri - causing chaos for farmers already struggling to get crops in the ground amid an unusually wet spring

Enid, Oklahoma: The underpass on north Grand is closed due to high water on Monday. The devastating weather has swept across the southern Great Plains is now headed to Arkansas and Missouri - causing chaos for farmers already struggling to get crops in the ground amid an unusually wet spring

The NWS said it expected severe weather across Texas, Louisiana and into Alabama and as far north as Iowa and Nebraska throughout the day and into the night on Tuesday, as chaos spreads across the region. 

On Monday, the NWS said the risk of tornadoes in the region was higher than at any time in years. 

'Flooding is still the big concern,' Otto said. 'Some areas could get another 2 inches (5 cm) of rain today, but that comes after another 5 to 10 inches (13-25 cm) some areas have already seen.' 

Kingfisher, Oklahoma: A truck is forced to turn around amid flooding on roads following devastating flash floods in the area

Kingfisher, Oklahoma: A truck is forced to turn around amid flooding on roads following devastating flash floods in the area

Oklahoma: Water flows around an abandoned vehicle near US Highway 66 following heavy rains on Tuesday

Oklahoma: Water flows around an abandoned vehicle near US Highway 66 following heavy rains on Tuesday

Oklahoma: The midday forecast from SPC has increased the tornado probabilities from 30 percent to 45 percent from northwest Texas into central Oklahoma. This means there's a 45 percent chance of a tornado forming within 25 miles of any spot in the area

Oklahoma: The midday forecast from SPC has increased the tornado probabilities from 30 percent to 45 percent from northwest Texas into central Oklahoma. This means there's a 45 percent chance of a tornado forming within 25 miles of any spot in the area

Millions of people in Oklahoma remain under a tornado watch as a dangerous storm system moves across the southern planes

Millions of people in Oklahoma remain under a tornado watch as a dangerous storm system moves across the southern planes

'The whole area is in the bullseye, with more rounds of severe storms possible,' one forecaster predicted.

Rob Hill, director of the city of Stillwater Emergency Management Agency, shared a live video on Facebook as a family was rescued from their flooded home.

'We got more rain just coming down on top of us. We have completely run out of barricades from our public works department,' Hill said in the video.  

For the first time in two years, forecasters have issued their most dire warning for the risk of catastrophic tornadoes.The target: parts of the Texas Panhandle and Oklahoma, which is also marking the sixth anniversary of a tornado that pulverized the city of Moore, killing 24 people

For the first time in two years, forecasters have issued their most dire warning for the risk of catastrophic tornadoes.The target: parts of the Texas Panhandle and Oklahoma, which is also marking the sixth anniversary of a tornado that pulverized the city of Moore, killing 24 people

Oklahoma: Vehicles drive through floodwater on US Highway 66 following heavy rains Tuesday

Oklahoma: Vehicles drive through floodwater on US Highway 66 following heavy rains Tuesday

'Listen people, there are just so many areas of this town that are flooded right now, I'm begging you, please don't get out right now. Please just stay home.' 

Nowata, Dewey and White Oak in northern Oklahoma also had reports of flooding. 

The Great Plains and Midwest have been battered by storms this year, leaving the Mississippi River at dangerously high levels, causing record floods in Nebraska and Iowa.  

Oklahoma: Overnight storms brought heavy rain, causing flooding across the state. Several highways are closed due to flooding, including I-40 in Canadian County

Oklahoma: Overnight storms brought heavy rain, causing flooding across the state. Several highways are closed due to flooding, including I-40 in Canadian County

Oklahoma City opened its underground Multi-Agency Coordination Center on Monday afternoon as an information clearinghouse for emergency responses

Oklahoma City opened its underground Multi-Agency Coordination Center on Monday afternoon as an information clearinghouse for emergency responses

After being pummeled by tornadoes late Monday, multiple counties across Oklahoma are dealing with flash floods. Roads were closed and traffic brought to a stand still in low-lying areas around Oklahoma City on Tuesday morning

After being pummeled by tornadoes late Monday, multiple counties across Oklahoma are dealing with flash floods. Roads were closed and traffic brought to a stand still in low-lying areas around Oklahoma City on Tuesday morning

Agriculture has been affected badly by the stormy weather. Missouri only has 62 percent of its corn planted, compared to 95 percent a year ago through May 19, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture 

Soybean planting is also delayed, with only 9 percent of fields planted versus 58 percent a year ago. 

In Arkansas, only 31 percent of soybeans have been planted compared to 78 percent a year ago.

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Married couple, aged 23 and 24, are killed in car crash as 37 tornadoes slam the Midwest

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