Severe Thunderstorms Coming for These Southeast Cities This Week
https://climate-crisis-247-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/07220948/hgpdpymv-8-150x150.jpgAs May comes to a close, a new wave of severe weather is set to sweep across parts of the southern and eastern U.S., bringing damaging winds, drenching rain, and the potential for flash flooding. From Texas to the Carolinas, forecasters warn that several rounds of strong thunderstorms over the next 72 hours could disrupt communities still recovering from earlier weather events this spring.
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While no large-scale outbreak is expected, forecasters at the National Weather Service are tracking scattered clusters of thunderstorms capable of producing severe wind gusts, hail, and localized flooding. Nationwide, 42 counties have at least a 15% chance of severe thunderstorm, representing more than 5 million Americans. A closer look at the data reveals which cities are facing the greatest storm risk this week.
To determine the cities most likely to get thunderstorms this week, Climate Crisis 247 reviewed data on severe thunderstorm probability forecasts from the National Weather Service of the NOAA. Cities were ranked based on the probability of experiencing a severe thunderstorm within 25 miles of their border from May 29 to May 31, 2025. Supplemental data on the total value of owner-occupied homes and population are from the U.S. Census Bureau. Only cities with at least 40,000 residents were considered.
20. Pflugerville, TX
- Probability of severe thunderstorm in next 72 hours: 5.0%
- Forecast cumulative rainfall for next 72 hours: 0.4 inches
- Value of all homes: $5.9 billion
- Population: 64,528
19. Austin, TX
- Probability of severe thunderstorm in next 72 hours: 5.0%
- Forecast cumulative rainfall for next 72 hours: 0.5 inches
- Value of all homes: $108.1 billion
- Population: 958,202
18. Burlington, NC
- Probability of severe thunderstorm in next 72 hours: 5.8%
- Forecast cumulative rainfall for next 72 hours: 1.0 inches
- Value of all homes: $2.9 billion
- Population: 56,951
17. Charlotte, NC
- Probability of severe thunderstorm in next 72 hours: 6.8%
- Forecast cumulative rainfall for next 72 hours: 0.4 inches
- Value of all homes: $77.3 billion
- Population: 875,045
16. Rock Hill, SC
- Probability of severe thunderstorm in next 72 hours: 12.4%
- Forecast cumulative rainfall for next 72 hours: 0.4 inches
- Value of all homes: $4.0 billion
- Population: 74,170
15. Augusta-Richmond County, GA
- Probability of severe thunderstorm in next 72 hours: 13.0%
- Forecast cumulative rainfall for next 72 hours: 0.9 inches
- Value of all homes: $6.9 billion
- Population: 201,615
14. Holly Springs, NC
- Probability of severe thunderstorm in next 72 hours: 15.0%
- Forecast cumulative rainfall for next 72 hours: 0.6 inches
- Value of all homes: $5.2 billion
- Population: 42,023
13. Wilson, NC
- Probability of severe thunderstorm in next 72 hours: 15.0%
- Forecast cumulative rainfall for next 72 hours: 0.9 inches
- Value of all homes: $1.9 billion
- Population: 47,76
11. Rocky Mount, NC
- Probability of severe thunderstorm in next 72 hours: 15.0%
- Forecast cumulative rainfall for next 72 hours: 0.9 inches
- Value of all homes: $1.8 billion
- Population: 54,260
10. Chapel Hill, NC
- Probability of severe thunderstorm in next 72 hours: 15.0%
- Forecast cumulative rainfall for next 72 hours: 0.7 inches
- Value of all homes: $5.8 billion
- Population: 58,919
9. Apex, NC
- Probability of severe thunderstorm in next 72 hours: 15.0%
- Forecast cumulative rainfall for next 72 hours: 0.6 inches
- Value of all homes: $8.2 billion
- Population: 65,541
8. Greenville, NC
- Probability of severe thunderstorm in next 72 hours: 15.0%
- Forecast cumulative rainfall for next 72 hours: 1.2 inches
- Value of all homes: $3.1 billion
- Population: 87,894
7. Cary, NC
- Probability of severe thunderstorm in next 72 hours: 15.0%
- Forecast cumulative rainfall for next 72 hours: 0.7 inches
- Value of all homes: $23.7 billion
- Population: 174,880
6. Fayetteville, NC
- Probability of severe thunderstorm in next 72 hours: 15.0%
- Forecast cumulative rainfall for next 72 hours: 0.5 inches
- Value of all homes: $7.2 billion
- Population: 208,697
5. Durham, NC
- Probability of severe thunderstorm in next 72 hours: 15.0%
- Forecast cumulative rainfall for next 72 hours: 0.8 inches
- Value of all homes: $22.2 billion
- Population: 284,094
4. Raleigh, NC
- Probability of severe thunderstorm in next 72 hours: 15.0%
- Forecast cumulative rainfall for next 72 hours: 0.7 inches
- Value of all homes: $41.1 billion
- Population: 465,517
3. Indian Trail, NC
- Probability of severe thunderstorm in next 72 hours: 15.0%
- Forecast cumulative rainfall for next 72 hours: 0.4 inches
- Value of all homes: $3.6 billion
- Population: 40,325
2. Columbia, SC
- Probability of severe thunderstorm in next 72 hours: 15.0%
- Forecast cumulative rainfall for next 72 hours: 0.4 inches
- Value of all homes: $7.5 billion
- Population: 136,754
1. Sumter, SC
- Probability of severe thunderstorm in next 72 hours: 15.0%
- Forecast cumulative rainfall for next 72 hours: 0.5 inches
- Value of all homes: $1.8 billion
- Population: 43,046