Strong storms, tornadoes slam US heartland

USA
Flooding is the second major concern today across the heartland. The combination of the heavy downpours and waterways that are still at or near flood stages after last month's historic flooding will lead to widespread flooding and flash flooding. See Accuweather report

BENTON, Ark. - A band of hail, heavy rain and twisters pounded Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma today, damaging hundreds of homes, flooding roads and leaving thousands without power.

Arkansas already was contending with three weeks of flooding and the aftermath of 10 tornadoes that struck last week when the latest storm hit. VIDEO: STORMS CAUSE MASSIVE FLOODS

Continued: It was another day of extreme weather on Thursday for residents in parts of the Southeast and West. Storms are making for potential flooding and heavy, springtime snow is expected in some areas.

In Breckenridge, Texas, a suspected tornado left significant damage and some residents are thanking their lucky stars to be alive. At the storms' height, power was knocked out to more than 180,000 homes across Texas.

That state is just one of many in the line of fire from a powerful storm system that's bringing with it the threat of tornadoes, golf ball sized hail and heavy rain. In L'noke County, Arkansas, the swollen waters forced residents from their homes and into makeshift shelters. Image: Jeremy Dickey of Breckenridge, Texas, turns off the water to his house after it was struck by an apparent tornado Wednesday evening, April 9, 2008. (AP Photo/ Tony Pilkington)