- At least two people died, thousands of US flights were cancelled or delayed, and more than 1.1 million homes and businesses lost power as severe storms.
- The storms’ spread was massive, with tornado watches and warnings posted across 10 states from Tennessee to New York.
- By Monday night, more than 2,600 US flights had been cancelled and nearly 7,900 delayed, according to flight tracking service FlightAware.
- Trees and power lines were toppled in multiple states, falling into roads and some homes, news outlets reported. A row of utility poles was toppled in Westminster, Maryland, WJLA-TV reported.
At least two people died, thousands of US flights were cancelled or delayed, and more than 1.1 million homes and businesses lost power as severe storms, including hail and lightning, moved through the eastern region of the country on Monday. According to the National Weather Service, a tornado might hit the greater DC area, which could last until 9 p.m. A special Weather Service statement warned, “There is a significant threat for damaging and locally destructive hurricane-force winds, along with the potential for large hail and tornadoes, even strong tornadoes.”
The storms’ spread was massive, with tornado watches and warnings posted across 10 states from Tennessee to New York. The National Weather Service said more than 29.5 million people were under a tornado watch Monday afternoon. By Monday night, more than 2,600 US flights had been cancelled and nearly 7,900 delayed, according to flight tracking service FlightAware. Many cancellations were at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which was digging out from disruptions caused by Sunday storms.
The storms were expected to strike major population areas in the late afternoon and early evening, prompting federal workers to be sent home early so they wouldn’t be in their cars amid wind, hail and tornadoes.
Strong advised residents: “Have yourself in a strong shelter. Be at home or be at work.” The storms postponed a Major League Baseball game between the Phillies and the Washington Nationals in Philadelphia, and in Maryland, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning into Tuesday after 4 inches (10.2 centimetres) of rain fell in a short amount of time.
By early evening, more than 1.1 million customers were without power across Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia and Virginia all states along the storm system’s path, according to poweroutage.us. The Knoxville Utilities Board tweeted that the damage across its service area in Tennessee was “widespread and extensive” and will likely take several days to repair. Trees and power lines were toppled in multiple states, falling into roads and some homes, news outlets reported. A row of utility poles was toppled in Westminster, Maryland, WJLA-TV reported.
In Hockessin, Delaware, at least one residence had the roof ripped off, 6ABC-TV reported. “We saw the clouds coming and could hear a rumbling in the distance,” said Tom Tomovich, whose home was damaged. “We went into the house and we were on the first floor, and before we could blink an eye the winds just came right through the back of our house.”
(With inputs from agencies)
