Thousands of people across the East Coast of the United States are still without power on Tuesday after severe thunderstorms battered the region on Monday. The storms, which brought damaging winds and large hail, resulted in the deaths of at least two people and left over 1.1 million customers without electricity. Tornado watches and warnings were issued across 10 states from Tennessee to New York, with fallen trees and power lines causing disruptions to roads and homes.
The National Weather Service described the severe weather as one of the most impactful events across the Mid-Atlantic in recent times. The Washington, D.C. area was particularly affected, experiencing thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and gusty winds. The severe weather outbreak was given a rare Level 4 out of 5 ranking by the National Weather Service and the Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang. Tornado watches were in effect for over 29.5 million people on Monday afternoon.
The storms also had a significant impact on air travel, with over 2,600 flights canceled and nearly 7,900 delayed, according to FlightAware. PowerOutage.us reported that over one million Americans were without electricity in nine states affected by the storms. North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Maryland were among the worst-hit states.
Two people lost their lives as a result of the severe thunderstorms. A 15-year-old boy was killed in Anderson, South Carolina when a tree fell on him as he got out of a car at his grandparent’s house. In Florence, Alabama, a 28-year-old man died after being struck by lightning.
The Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk warning for severe storms across parts of the mid-Atlantic, including Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warned of “widespread damaging winds” and said it had been five years since a threat of this level had been issued for the area.
The storms were expected to intensify by early afternoon on Monday and continue into the evening, bringing destructive straight-line winds, hail, flash flooding, and tornadoes. Cities including Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Charleston, Knoxville, Huntsville, and Raleigh were all at risk.
While the DC-area storm was not expected to become a derecho, it could still have “derecho-like impacts,” according to the Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang.
The good news for the mid-Atlantic and Northeast is that the stormy weather should keep the intense heat that was experienced in July at bay for now. However, forecasters warn that the heat could return later in August. The South, on the other hand, is still experiencing dangerously hot temperatures, with highs in the upper 90s to lower 100s and heat indices of 105 to 115 degrees. This has led to an increased risk of wildfires in the region.
Overall, the severe storms have left a trail of destruction across the East Coast, with thousands of people still without power and significant disruptions to travel. Residents are urged to stay informed and take precautions as the turbulent weather continues throughout the week.
Original Story at www.usatoday.com – 2023-08-09 10:15:10
Comments are closed.