A potent storm is making its way across the nation, triggering numerous fires and severe thunderstorms with hurricane-strength wind gusts and tornadoes that are causing power outages and destruction on Tuesday. Reports indicate that at least two individuals have lost their lives in incidents related to the storm.
Spanning from one border to another, the storm in the central United States is gaining strength as it progresses, placing tens of millions of people in danger of severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and fire hazards on its warm, southern flank, and blizzard conditions on its cold side in the Plains and Midwest.
Here are the latest updates:
– High fire danger: Texas is under a level 3 out of 3 extremely critical fire weather risk on Tuesday, including areas like Austin and San Antonio, along with parts of southeastern New Mexico, as per the Storm Prediction Center. The region is experiencing powerful winds and extremely dry conditions, creating a high risk for rapid wildfire spread and extreme fire behavior. Firefighters are currently battling numerous house fires in southern San Antonio, where a wind-driven brush fire has led to evacuations. Around 15 fires have been reported within the area covered by the National Weather Service for Austin and San Antonio.
– Fatalities and power outages: Severe thunderstorms with intensely damaging wind gusts are sweeping through the Southern states, resulting in at least two deaths in Madison County, Mississippi. Wind speeds exceeding 70 mph have been recorded in states such as Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, with gusts of up to 78 mph hitting the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Over 458,000 homes and businesses are without power across Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Mississippi. However, winds are expected to subside in southern and western Texas by Tuesday night, potentially aiding firefighters in managing the situation.
– Potential blizzard conditions: Blizzard warnings have been issued in parts of five states, particularly Nebraska, with expectations of whiteout conditions that could pose life-threatening travel hazards. Additional blizzard warnings are set to come into effect from the Kansas City area to south of Minneapolis later on Tuesday.
– Mardi Gras precautions: In New Orleans, authorities are taking precautions by rescheduling Mardi Gras events and altering parade routes to avoid the inclement weather. The city is experiencing gusty winds of up to 40 mph, with a high wind warning in place until 9 p.m. local time. New Orleans is also under a level 3 out of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms throughout the evening.
– Dust storm aftermath: A massive dust storm swept through parts of New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico on Monday, leading to violent winds and poor visibility on roadways. Termed a haboob, this fast-moving wall of dust prompted officials to close sections of various interstates. Dust is still being blown across the region, potentially causing further disruptions, especially in Texas.
Strong winds persist in Dallas, leading to hazy skies following a dust storm. Severe thunderstorms in Texas and Oklahoma cause significant damage to buildings and create hazardous conditions. The Benjamin Moore paint plant in Lewisville, Texas, sustains damage, but no injuries are reported. Trees and power lines are downed, causing debris in roadways and neighborhoods.
Various cities in Texas, including Dallas-Fort Worth, and Oklahoma experience storm damage, with reports of downed power lines and fires driven by high winds. A fire near San Antonio consumes structures, including homes, and efforts are underway to contain it. An aerostat breaks free from its tether due to severe winds on South Padre Island.
In Ada, Oklahoma, an EF1 tornado causes destruction, including damage to mobile homes. Corpus Christi faces a wildfire that prompts evacuations due to strong winds. Utility crews are working to restore power outages, but officials caution that the process may take time. Byng Public Schools cancel classes due to road damage and power outages.
Due to the extensive damage caused by the rapidly moving storm system, I have been affected. The storms have caused significant disruptions to air travel, with over 500 flights within, into, or out of the US being canceled and more than 2,000 delayed by the afternoon, as reported by Flight Aware. Approximately a third of all delayed flights were either departing from or arriving at Dallas-area airports. Strong wind gusts reaching up to 56 mph at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to impose a ground stop for departures on Tuesday afternoon.
Unfavorable weather conditions are expected to persist with the Lower Mississippi River Valley facing the possibility of strong tornadoes, powerful winds, hail, and heavy rainfall throughout the evening. These storms are forecasted to continue into the night as they move over the Southeast, with the potential for tornadoes even after dark. A study conducted in 2022 revealed that nighttime tornadoes are nearly twice as likely to be fatal compared to those occurring during the day. The most severe tornadoes are anticipated to impact the southeast, and the National Weather Service is continuously updating on where warnings are in effect.
Louisiana, Mississippi, and parts of Arkansas, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle are likely to endure the most severe weather on Tuesday. These areas may face strong tornadoes rated EF2 or higher, wind gusts exceeding 74 mph, and large hail. While other regions in the Mississippi Valley and Southeast, such as Birmingham, Alabama, and Atlanta, may experience a slightly lower intensity of severe storms, the possibility of tornadoes, strong winds, and hail remains present on Tuesday.
The extensive storm system will reach the East Coast on Wednesday, affecting more than 29 million individuals from Florida to Pennsylvania, including Washington, DC, and Baltimore, who are under a Level 2 out of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms, according to the SPC. Potential damages from wind gusts and a few tornadoes are within the realm of possibility within these storms. Around 8 million people in the Carolinas and southern Virginia face a Level 3 out of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms, with potential wind gusts exceeding 75 mph and the likelihood of tornadoes.
Significant rainfall and strong winds are expected to impact much of the Northeast, while blizzard conditions will be experienced in parts of the Midwest due to the storm. Throughout the day, wind gusts of 40 mph or more may occur over a large portion of the eastern US, regardless of any precipitation. These strong winds could potentially disrupt air travel, particularly affecting hubs in Chicago and the New York City area. Moreover, more than a dozen states may encounter power outages as a result.
Although a substantial amount of the storm’s precipitation is anticipated to diminish by Thursday, gusty winds are expected to linger in its aftermath. This report was contributed to by CNN’s Joe Sutton, Gene Norman, Sara Smart, Dawn Sawyer, and Jeremy Grisham. For additional
