A powerful storm system has begun its dangerous journey across the central United States, unleashing a devastating combination of severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and ice storms.
As the storm advances eastward, it has already left hundreds of thousands of people without power, and millions more are at risk as the system continues to intensify.
Millions Under Threat as the Storm Intensifies
Currently, more than 75 million Americans are within the storm’s threat zone.
Weather experts have warned that the system could trigger a series of tornado watches, flash flood warnings, and ice storm alerts throughout the affected states.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the storm is expected to bring severe thunderstorms across the Southeast, the Mississippi Valley, and into the Ohio Valley, extending into the southern Great Lakes.
The NOAA also warns that the threat includes widespread damaging winds, large hail, and multiple tornadoes, with some potentially strong enough to cause significant destruction.
Tornadoes Expected to Strike Major Cities
As of Sunday afternoon, a dozen tornadoes are expected to impact cities such as Little Rock, Arkansas, Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee, Paducah, Kentucky, and Evansville and Bloomington, Indiana.
These tornadoes are predicted to occur both Sunday afternoon and into the evening, with residents bracing for the worst.
By Monday, the storm is expected to move toward major cities along the East Coast, including New Orleans, Atlanta, Charlotte, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City, further amplifying the destruction.
Severe Weather Leads to Widespread Power Outages and Flash Floods
In the Midwest, the storm has already begun causing significant damage, leaving over 200,000 people without power.
Northern Wisconsin and northern Michigan have been hit particularly hard, with extensive tree damage due to the ice storm, making travel nearly impossible.
Some areas in northern Michigan are experiencing power outages affecting over 90% of residents, as downed trees have taken out power lines.
Additionally, southern Louisiana, especially near Baton Rouge, is under flash flood warnings as heavy rainfall continues.
Some areas have already received up to 4.5 inches of rain, with more expected to fall through Sunday morning.
The Worst is Yet to Come as the Storm Moves Eastward
The storm’s effects will continue to be felt throughout Sunday and into Monday, with meteorologists predicting that the worst of the severe weather will shift eastward.
Cities like Memphis, Nashville, Louisville, and Evansville are all in the path of a particularly dangerous zone where strong tornadoes are most likely.
The Carolinas, which have recently dealt with devastating wildfires due to dry conditions, are also at risk of thunderstorms bringing heavy rain.
In fact, seven states from New York to North Carolina are still under an Elevated Fire Danger warning as of Saturday, with the storm exacerbating the situation.
Chill Blast and Snow Expected in Northern Regions
As the storm stretches to the northern edge, cold temperatures will bring a chill blast, with snow and ice expected in the Dakotas and New England.
Ice storm warnings have been issued for Wisconsin and Michigan, where up to half an inch of ice is expected to coat streets, trees, and power infrastructure, adding to the already significant damage caused by the storm.
Storm System to Reach the East Coast by Monday
By Monday, the storm system is expected to reach the East Coast and impact areas from Upstate New York to Tallahassee and New Orleans.
Damaging winds, possible tornadoes, and heavy rain are forecasted for the region, threatening millions of people along the I-95 corridor.
As the system continues to move eastward, it’s clear that the damage and destruction caused by this storm are far from over.