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Our Daily Planet: Arkansas Deadly Storms and Midwest Flooding

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Each weekday morning, OurAmazingPlanet takes the pulse of the Earth, reporting on natural phenomena and exploration news from around the globe.

Dixie Alley Tornadoes: Nearly 40 tornadoes were reported across the South last night. In Arkansas, four people died during the storms. [Related: Deadly Dixie: Tornado Alley's Lethal Neighbor ]

Midwest Flooding: Last night's heavy storms have pushed levees to the limit along the Black River across the Midwest. In Arkansas, three people died after being swept away by rising flood waters. More than 1,000 homes are threatened in Poplar Bluff, Mo. The Ohio and Mississippi Rivers are also above flood stage.

Colombia Disaster: Colombia's president has called the months of heavy rains, flooding and mudslides "the worst natural disaster that we can remember." More than 400 people have died since the disaster began.

Ted Danson's "Oceana": The former Cheers star is lending his star-power to help save the oceans. After 25 years of advocating for the oceans, Danson has released his first book, "Oceana: Our Endangered Oceans and What We Can Do To Save Them".

Previously on Our Daily Planet: St. Louis Airport Tornado Video and Ohio River Flooding

Reach OurAmazingPlanet staff writer Brett Israel at bisrael@techmedianetwork.com. Follow him on Twitter @btisrael.

Brett Israel
Brett Israel was a staff writer for Live Science with a focus on environmental issues. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from The University of Georgia, a master’s degree in journalism from New York University, and has studied doctorate-level biochemistry at Emory University.