Synopsis
Severe storms have struck parts of the US South, including Texas and Tennessee, resulting in significant damage and leaving many without power. The National Weather Service has confirmed tornadoes, and numerous flights have been cancelled or delayed due to the harsh weather conditions.Key Takeaways
- Severe storms have impacted Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.
- Over 400,000 customers are without power.
- Confirmed tornadoes caused damage in Texas and Oklahoma.
- Flight cancellations and delays have affected Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
- Severe weather warnings are in effect for millions of residents.
Houston, March 5 (NationPress) Severe storms have pummeled numerous regions across the US South, spanning from Texas to Tennessee, unleashing fierce winds, hail, swirling dust, and tornadoes, leaving hundreds of thousands of residents without electricity.
According to PowerOutage.us, over 400,000 homes, businesses, and other utility customers in five states—Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Tennessee—are currently experiencing power outages.
The National Weather Service reported that a brief EF1 tornado struck the Dallas-Fort Worth suburb of Irving in northern Texas earlier on Tuesday, causing damage across several blocks, as noted by the Xinhua news agency.
Flight disruptions have also been widespread, with more than 375 flights cancelled at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, according to flight tracker FlightAware.com. An additional 660 flights faced delays.
Close to nine million individuals are under a Level 3 out of 5 severe weather risk, affecting cities including New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport in Louisiana, as well as Mobile in Alabama and Jackson in Mississippi.
In Lewisville, Texas, a warehouse for Benjamin Moore Paints was reportedly torn open after a suspected tornado passed through, collapsing part of the structure and burying nearby semi-trailers and vehicles under debris, local reports indicated.
The eastern region can anticipate a washout on Wednesday as the storm's center progresses into the Northeast. This system is expected to bring intermittent rain, strong winds, and the possibility of thunderstorms with an approaching cold front.
An additional confirmed EF1 tornado caused significant damage to a volunteer fire station and uprooted numerous trees in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma.
Due to the adverse weather conditions, parades for Fat Tuesday, the peak of Mardi Gras celebrations in Louisiana, have been officially cancelled in Jefferson Parish, part of the greater New Orleans area.
The threat of wind damage is expected to persist overnight throughout the Deep South, as reported by weather.com.
Authorities have prohibited floats and marching bands due to concerns over strong winds. All parades are required to conclude by 11:30 a.m., and police have warned they may cancel the events if conditions worsen.
New Orleans is also included in the Level 3 out of 5 severe weather threat, facing risks of damaging winds, hail, and even tornadoes.
Winter conditions aren't over yet, as a snowy scene unfolded on Monday about 40 miles from the Las Vegas Strip.
While the desert climate of Las Vegas typically doesn't produce snow, the surrounding mountains receive significant snowfall each year, making them a popular destination for skiers visiting the city.
