Strong storms swept across the United States Tuesday night, bringing torrential rain, hail, and fierce winds that left over 200,000 people without power. By Wednesday morning, 13 million people were under flood watches from eastern Texas to northern Florida, with flash flood warnings extending across several states. As of 10 a.m., over 239,000 customers were without power, with the majority in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and Florida. Heavy rain was expected to continue throughout the South and Gulf Coast, potentially leading to major flooding in certain areas.
With six million people under tornado watches on Wednesday morning, cities such as Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans were at risk. More than 90 storm reports had already been received, including reports of large hail in Texas. Thirteen million people were expected to experience severe storms across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and western Florida Panhandle, with the main risk being damaging wind gusts and possible tornadoes. Louisiana’s Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness issued warnings to residents to stay indoors due to the severe thunderstorm warnings.
In the midst of the recent storms, reports of significant rainfall, reaching up to 15 inches in some areas, have led to rising rivers and flooding. Jasper, Texas, Marshall, Texas, Holly Bluff, Mississippi, and Monroe, Louisiana were some of the areas that experienced heavy rainfall. The Roganville Volunteer Fire Department in Kirbyville, Texas, shared videos of flooded streets and submerged cars, advising people to stay at home. Severe weather risks were expected to continue on Thursday in the Ohio Valley, Southeast, and northern Florida, with cities like Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Columbus, and Cleveland potentially facing hazardous weather conditions.
In conclusion, the recent severe storms in the United States have caused widespread power outages, flooding, and hazardous road conditions across several states. The risk of tornadoes and damaging wind gusts has prompted authorities to issue warnings to residents to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. The potential for continued severe weather on Thursday poses additional risks to a number of cities, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and caution during these extreme weather events.
