A blockbuster storm with heavy rain and powerful winds sparked tornadoes across the South on Tuesday − ripping roofs off buildings, toppling trees and blowing over RVs − after the system roared across the Midwest with blizzard conditions en route to the Northeast.
At least four people were killed in areas of the South hit hard by rain, wind and suspected tornadoes, and several people were reported injured in Florida.
Across the central U.S., the storm shut down major highways as it pummeled the region with whiteout conditions and packed roadways with snow. On Monday and through early Tuesday, Kansas Highway Patrol responded to over 100 vehicle crashes, 19 of which resulted in injuries. In Boise City, Oklahoma, the emergency management department said it responded to calls reporting several stranded motorists and said all roads were closed.
Many schools and government buildings were closed in Florida. Some schools in parts of Virginia and Maryland also planned early dismissals. Airports across the Midwest and Southeast reported a surge of delays and cancellations Tuesday morning.
In the Southeast, the National Weather Service confirmed at least three tornadoes across the Florida Panhandle, where wind gusts as high as 106 mph were reported. A thunderstorm over southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia had winds recorded at speeds of 70 mph and hail the size of baseballs, according to the weather service.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 49 of the state’s 67 counties.
Meanwhile, the Northeast was preparing for heavy rainfall just days after the region was hammered over the weekend by a significant snowstorm that dropped up to 22 inches of snow in New England. As the storm moves toward the Northeast later Tuesday and rain begins to fall over snow-covered areas, the potential for flooding will be widespread, especially along low-lying areas, swollen creeks and streams.
The weather service forecasts 1 to 3 inches of rain for New England by nightfall Tuesday. Much of the coast is under wind and flood advisories as gusts of 50 mph are anticipated.
A flood warning for the nation’s capital was in effect Tuesday evening as river gauges indicated some spots, especially urban areas, were already flooding. Parts of Washington D.C., central Maryland, and northern Virginia could flood Tuesday night, the weather service warned, as up to 2.5 inches of rain had already fallen with another 1.5 inches possible.
New York City was under a flood watch through Wednesday morning as the weather service warned of “widespread urban and poor drainage flooding.” Parts of southeast New York, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx could get 2 to 3 inches of rain, an advisory said, with potential for flash flooding and localized higher rainfall.