Severe storms and flash flooding wreaked havoc on multiple states in the U.S., with heavy rain and tornadoes causing extensive damage and resulting in at least one fatality. A tornado was confirmed in St. Johns, Florida, with a tornado watch issued for parts of central Florida as thunderstorms battered the region. The storms brought forth damaging wind gusts, flooding downpours, and small hail, affecting millions of people in Central Florida and the Ohio Valley, including key cities like Orlando, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Charleston.
The severe weather pattern, stretching over 650 miles from west of Houston to south of Tallahassee, led to over 150 damaging wind reports within 48 hours. In Louisiana and Texas, EF-2 tornadoes caused significant destruction, while in Mississippi, one person was killed, and significant damage to homes was reported. Flash flood emergencies hit areas like New Orleans and Kirbyville, Texas, with record rainfall hitting cities like Tallahassee. A flash flood emergency was declared in Tallahassee, urging residents to stay put and avoid flooded roads, as power outages affected over 115,000 people nationwide.
Rounds of heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds were forecasted to continue affecting the Great Lakes, interior northeast, and the I-95 corridor from D.C. to Boston. Peak wind gusts were expected in various cities across the country, fueling concerns of continued damage and disruptions. The severe weather conditions left a trail of destruction and disruption, highlighting the need for caution and preparedness in the face of unpredictable natural disasters.
