When a warning is issued, take action. This means tornado conditions are imminent and have been spotted either by someone on the ground or by radar. Warning areas are typically smaller than those within a watch and are issued for a shorter time period, typically about 15 minutes.

Tornadoes and thunderstorms are sweeping across areas of the South and Midwest of the United States, leaving a trail of destruction and tens of thousands of homes without power. Flash flooding is expected to follow the violent storms as the National Weather Service warns of a threat to life.

Today's weather is anticipated to be much like Wednesday's with severe weather of all types "on the table," the National Weather Service in North Little Rock said.

The night befor the Midwest is expected to be hit by a storm, NWS ended its foreign-language translation services contract, according to Bloomberg.

The NWS has placed Franklin, Licking, Madison and Union counties in central Ohio under the flood watch, along with over three dozen other counties across southern, southwestern, and north central Ohio. The flood watch will go into effect from 8 p.m. Wednesday to 8 a.m. Sunday, the NWS said, as the storm system moves its way through the state.

In and around Jacksonville, the threat of severe weather is somewhat lighter. There is no tornado watch at the moment, but a wind advisory is in play for this evening and overnight into Thursday. The chance of severe weather in the area is also at 80%, but it will fall to 30% Wendesday evening, according to the National Weather Service.

Staying informed about the forecast and knowing what to do before and during an event saves lives. Here are some things you need to know to stay safe.

Parts of eastern North Texas are under a flood watch until 6 a.m. Sunday, according to the National Weather service.

An updated tornado watch was issued by the National Weather Service on Wednesday at 5:07 a.m. in effect until 10 a.m. The watch is for Johnson, Wyandotte, Jackson, Linn, Miami, Adair, Bates, Carroll,