Red Cross warns of intense storms and hail threat across the middle of the U.S.

The American Red Cross is warning people across the middle of the United States to prepare for intense thunderstorms, large hail and possible tornadoes as a severe-weather outbreak continues across the central Plains and Upper Midwest.

The agency issued its safety advisory on May 18, saying residents in the threatened area should stay alert and review severe-weather plans. The warning comes as the National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center continued to describe a broad risk of damaging winds, large hail and strong tornadoes in parts of Kansas, eastern Nebraska, Iowa, northwest Missouri and southern Minnesota.

Weather coverage on May 18 also described an active outbreak unfolding across the central U.S., with destructive storms already affecting parts of the region.

The Red Cross said people in the path of severe storms should move quickly to sturdy shelter when warnings are issued and keep multiple ways to receive alerts. Forecasters have warned that the threat includes not only heavy rain and wind, but also hail large enough to cause significant damage.

The situation remains fluid as the system evolves through the day and night, with forecasters continuing to track where the strongest storms will develop next.