Ahead of expected severe weather Wednesday evening into Thursday morning, the National Weather Service has upped the risk level for southeast Nebraska and northeast Kansas.

Early Wednesday afternoon, the National Weather Service upgraded much of southeast Nebraska from a "Slight Risk" to an "Enhanced Risk" for severe storms through the evening and overnight. Enhanced is a level three on the NWS's five-level risk scale.

Strong storms are expected to develop over the area between 6-7 p.m. Wednesday and the threat will continue through the early morning hours Thursday. 

Areas now in the Enhanced Risk area include Thayer, Jefferson, Gage, Pawnee, Johnson, Otoe, Nemaha, Richardson, Cass and Sarpy counties and southern Lancaster and Saline Counties. In Kansas, Republic, Washington and Marshall counties have also been placed into the higher risk category. 

The biggest threats include hail, which could be up to three inches in diameter, and flooding. Wind gusts over 60 miles-per-hour are also possible. The NWS says there is a low chance for an isolated tornado or two throughout the event. 

As for the flooding, the best chance for that is between 8 p.m. Wednesday and 6 a.m. Thursday. The highest chances for flooding is in deep southeast Nebraska east of Beatrice and south of Nebraska City as well as northeast Kansas, northwest Missouri and southwest Iowa.