Slight Risk 9/8/08

There is a Slight Risk of severe over parts of the mid Mississippi Valley, lower Ohio Valley, and south Florida. The risk areas are for large hail damaging winds, and possible tornadoes.

WATCHES
Severe Thunderstorm Watch #892 for parts of central and southern Illinois, western and central Indiana, and east central Missouri until 2:00 AM CDT.

Tornado Warning 7:55pm CDT
Coles, Cumberland, and Shelby counties in Illinois until 8:30pm CDT.

Tornado Warning 7:45pm CDT
Jefferson, St. Louis counties in MO and Monroe county in IL until 8:30PM CDT.

Today In Weather History...

1900 - The greatest weather disaster in U.S. records occurred when a hurricane struck Galveston TX. A tide fifteen feet high washed over the island demolishing or carrying away buildings, and drowning more than 6000 persons. The hurricane destroyed more than 3600 houses, and total damage was more than thirty million dollars. Winds to 120 mph, and a twenty foot storm surge accompanied the hurricane. Following the storm, the surf was three hundred feet inland from the former water line. The hurricane claimed another 1200 lives outside of the Galveston area. (8th-9th) (David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)