Winter storm warnings: Flash flooding continues as weekend threatens repeat storms
At least four deaths were attributed to Storm Finn, a major winter storm pummeling the US including Florida and New York
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As the northeast braces for flooding rain and damaging winds through Wednesday, meteorologists forecast a second storm will blow through the eastern half of the US late this week.
The southeast should brace for a repeat of destructive winds and possible tornadoes, the National Weather Service (NWS) Storm Prediction Center said Wednesday. Meanwhile, the midwest can expect even more snow over the weekend, while rain will continue to beat down on the northeast, according to the NWS.
As for Wednesday, flooding rain and damaging winds will hit Boston, Massachusetts overnight, while New York City residents should remain braced for potential flooding throughout the day.
Meanwhile, the south is recovering from the destruction of a devastating storm earlier this week.
Four people have died and 890,000 homes were left without power after Storm Finn ripped through the Atlantic Coast, from Florida to New York. The deaths were reported in North Carolina, Georgia and Alabama.
Fourteen tornadoes were reported across Florida, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina on Tuesday, causing significant damage, blowing roofs off homes and prompting rescues in Florida’s panhandle, which was hit with 55 mph winds and hail.
Gulf Coast residents should keep phone volumes on tonight to hear emergency alerts: meteorologist
Residents of the Gulf Coast should prepare for nighttime tornadoes to sweep through the region, the National Weather Service (NWS) warns.
In the New Orleans, Louisiana region in particular, tornadoes are most likely to strike 7pm through 3am local time, NWS meteorologist Megan Williams told The Independent.
Residents should take safety measures to protect themselves, including seeking sturdy shelter and turning their phone volumes on to ensure they wake up for emergency weather alerts, Ms Williams said.
SEE IT: Northeast recovers from first major winter storm of 2024
The first major winter storm of the new year blew through the mid-Atlantic and northeast US last week, bringing rain, snow and sleet to the region.
Another massive winter storm will likely hit midwest later this week
A second devastating winter storm could hit the upper midwest US late this week, meteorologists say.
The storm will travel from Oklahoma City to Detroit on Friday through Saturday. The storm may classify as a “bomb cyclone,” The Washington Post reported, due to extreme low pressure.
The storm is forecasted to bring snow and wind, as well as a surge of warm air and rain along the northern Gulf Coast.
49 states under at least one weather alert on Monday
Almost every state was under at least one type of weather alert on Monday, the National Weather Service reports.
The only state without any alerts was North Dakota.
With a “ferocious” winter storm blasting the midwest, Storm Finn putting the Gulf Coast on tornado watch and blizzards dropping several inches of snow on the northeast, extreme weather has impacted the entire country over the past several days.
ICYMI: Severe winds toppled tree in California, pinning young girl underneath
A young girl in California was injured after high winds toppled a large tree that pinned her to the ground, NBC Los Angeles reported.
The incident occurred on Sunday at Melrose Trading Post, a popular flea market in Los Angeles. A bystander helped her escape and she was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. It’s unclear how severe her injuries are, according to NBC Los Angeles.
The tree toppled amid high winds in Southern California that hit up to 50 miles per hour, CBS News reports.
ICYMI: Cuyama Valley, California, under a hard freeze warning until later today
Cuyama Valley, California is under a hard freeze warning until Tuesday morning, the National Weather Service has said.
NWS issues a hard freeze warning when temperatures are expected to drop below 28°F for an extended period of time, killing most types of commercial crops and residential plants.
The warning will remain in effect until 10am PST, while a hard freeze watch will be in place until Tuesday morning.
The NWS has warned of damage to outdoor plumbing and severe damage to crops or sensitive vegetation, as well as harm to unprotected pets or livestock.
“Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold,” the NWS said in a statement. “To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing.“
Storm Finn continues to threaten Atlantic coast with dangerous winds, rain
Millions of people are under blizzard threat as Storm Finn blows through the midwest and northeast, the National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts.
Storm Finn will continue to wreak havoc into Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the NWS.
These warnings come after Storm Finn blew through the Gulf Coast on Monday, bringing travel chaos amid other winter storms impacting the country.
Residents report tornadoes ripping through Florida panhandle overnight
Storm Finn brought tornadoes to the Florida panhandle Monday into Tuesday as residents report storm damage.
The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado in Walton County early Tuesday morning, as well as an earlier tornado near Fort Lauderdale on Sunday.
A suspected tornado also hit Panama City Beach overnight Monday into Tuesday, with one resident filming the debris caused by the storm.
‘Intense squall’ to pass through Florida panhandle in wake of reported tornadoes
An “intense squall line” will pass through the Florida panhandle Tuesday as the region recovers from high winds and reported tornadoes overnight.
That squall line could bring even more tornadoes, potentially widespread destructive winds and localized flash flooding, according to the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, Florida.
Meanwhile, panhandle residents are still recovering from high winds and reported tornadoes across the region overnight.
Air travel chaos persists into Tuesday
A multi-day streak of cancellations and delays continues to impact air travel as winter storms blow through the midwest and northeast on Tuesday.
More than 2,000 flights within, into, or out of the US have been delayed as of Tuesday morning, with more than 600 cancelled, according to FlightAware.
More than 15,000 flights within, into, or out of the US were delayed over the weekend, and more than 1,300 were cancelled.
Monday brought similar conditions, with 8,000 delays and 810 cancellations. Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Seattle-Tacoma Airport were among the most impacted as each region suffered from separate winter storms.
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