A severe storm system is impacting the U.S., causing wildfires in Texas, blizzard conditions in the Midwest, and severe thunderstorms from Florida to New York. Casualties include two fatalities in Mississippi, and widespread power outages have affected 400,000 residents. Millions are under alerts for severe weather, including tornado risks, as the storm continues its path eastward.
A large and complex storm system is currently affecting much of the United States, bringing extreme weather conditions, including strong winds, wildfires, and blizzard threats. As it moves eastward, the storm has already caused significant disruptions, particularly in Texas and Mississippi, where two fatalities have been reported due to storm-related incidents.
In Texas, reddish dust storms have sparked multiple wildfires, prompting over 15 reports to the National Weather Service. As the storm progresses, it is forecasted to hit the East Coast, where areas from Florida to New York can expect damaging winds and severe thunderstorms, particularly from Charleston, South Carolina to southern Virginia.
The Deep South is experiencing fierce storms, with damaging winds and potential tornadoes projected as the system moves through Alabama, Georgia, and parts of Florida. The East Coast is advised to prepare for impacts of strong winds and thunderstorms by Wednesday afternoon, resulting in lower storm warnings across the region.
In Texas, critical fire risks have led to numerous fires, particularly in Atascosa County, where several homes caught fire amid high winds. Meanwhile, blizzard conditions are possible across the Midwest, notably in populated regions like Kansas City and Omaha, as wind gusts reach up to 70 mph.
Power outages are widespread, affecting over 400,000 homes and businesses due to intense thunderstorms and damaging winds. The storms have also caused significant damage in Texas and Oklahoma, with building collapses and hazardous conditions reported, particularly in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Severe storms led to over 190 reports of damage across states, including several EF1 tornadoes in Oklahoma and Texas, affecting school operations and disrupting air travel with hundreds of canceled flights. The National Weather Service warns that conditions will remain hazardous as storms surge from Florida to New York, with a heightened risk of nighttime tornadoes.
Over 29 million individuals in the mid-Atlantic region are under a level 2 risk for severe thunderstorms, and approximately 8 million in the Carolinas face a level 3 risk, where tornadoes and damaging winds over 75 mph are anticipated. The storm’s precipitative effects will diminish by Thursday, but strong winds may continue in its aftermath.
The ongoing storm system is causing widespread disruption across the United States, bringing strong winds, wildfires, and hazardous conditions from the Deep South to the East Coast. With millions at risk of severe thunderstorms, it is essential for residents to stay informed and prepared for potential tornadoes and power outages while protecting lives and property. As the storm progresses, vigilant monitoring is crucial, especially for regions under heightened risk warnings.
Original Source: www.cnn.com
