After a clear day on Wednesday, clean up efforts for Moore, Okla., will be slowed by strong morning thunderstorms. The town was devastated by an EF-5 tornado on May 20, and conditions this week have generally not been favorable for clean up.
The biggest threats through Thursday morning will be lightning, wind and flash flooding from heavy rain, falling at a rate of 2 to 3 inches per hour. Hail could also be possible with this system.
The storms should only stay in the area for a few hours and will weaken as they continue east. Another system will arrive later this afternoon, but should stay to the western part of the state.
UPDATE:
As of 7:17 a.m. CDT, two instances of large hail have been reported in the area. Golfball-sized hail fell just 10 miles west of Moore. Quarter-sized hail fell in Yukon, Okla., which is west of Oklahoma City. Flash flooding has been reported 6 miles northwest of Moore as the storms continue moving east.