The National Weather Service issued 728 tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings in a 24-hour period on Thursday.

Data obtained by The Associated Press shows that close to half of the local National Weather Service forecast offices have 20% vacancy rates as severe weather chugs across the nation’s heartland.

"TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building," the tornado warning said. "Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris."

The contract for artificial intelligence modeling used to send emergency alerts in different languages is among the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contracts that lapsed this week.

Weather balloon releases — tracking temperature, pressure and wind speed — have been suspended or reduced in the Midwest and Great Plains.

WEST PLAINS, Mo. (KY3) - A National Weather Service survey team confirmed a tornado hit a rural area of Howell County on Wednesday. The EF-1 storm formed southwest of West Plains from State Highway JJ to County Road 8800 near South Fork around 3:15 p.m. The tornado lasted around 1 mile. It packed wind speeds of 95 to 100 miles per hour.

There is a low chance of severe weather Friday, according to the National Weather Service. However, Middle Tennessee is not in the clear just yet.

As of 1 p.m. Friday, the National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch in several Arkansas counties until 9 p.m., including Pulaski, Faulkner, Saline, and Jefferson.

More than 50 weather warnings were for tornadoes. Rain continues to cause flash flooding concerns around the state.