Winter Storm Batters Sections of the United States; Tornado and Flood Alerts Issued
Iowa's January 15 caucuses may face disruptions due to severe weather conditions. As reported by AP news, snowfall is anticipated, followed by extremely cold temperatures dropping below zero degrees (minus 18 Celsius).
Severe storms are battering the United States, bringing tornado warnings and powerful winds that are causing roofs to be blown off homes in the South. Simultaneously, another storm is blanketing cities across the Midwest with nearly a foot of snow as it moves towards the Northeast, as reported by the news agency AP.
This extreme weather is expected to impact Iowa's January 15 precinct caucuses. According to AP news, heavy snowfall will be followed by extremely cold temperatures dipping below zero degrees Celsius (minus 18 Celsius). The adverse conditions have also led to the cancellation of several appearances by Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders and her father, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, on behalf of former President Donald Trump's campaign in Iowa.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized that winter storms remain a significant threat nationwide. She urged Americans to stay vigilant and monitor the weather closely.
Lethal Storms Prompt Tornado Alerts:
Tragedy struck in the southern United States as a widespread storm claimed the lives of at least three people. The National Weather Service reported that the storm brought powerful winds and hail, reaching speeds of 55 mph (88 kph), across the Florida Panhandle and parts of Alabama and Georgia early Tuesday.
The weather agency confirmed the occurrence of multiple tornadoes based on radar monitoring. The impact of the storm left over 200,000 customers without power in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia. Additionally, nearly 150,000 people in North Carolina experienced electricity outages, as reported by the PowerOutage.us website.
In the state of Florida:
In the early hours, a powerful wind gust of 106 mph (171 kph) was documented along the coast in Walton County, Florida.
Tragically, one of the fatalities occurred near Cottonwood, Alabama, a small city near the borders of Georgia and Florida. The Houston County coroner reported that a small tornado touched down in the area. Another loss of life was reported in Jonesboro, as disclosed by police in Clayton County, located south of Atlanta.
Injuries were reported in Florida due to the storms. In Panama City, the police are urging residents to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel on the roads. Additionally, the National Weather Service is organizing three survey teams to inspect potential tornado-related damages in Walton, Bay, and Jackson counties in Florida on Wednesday. Two additional teams will be dispatched to assess the impacts in Houston County, Alabama, and Calhoun County, Georgia.
Responding to the situation, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency for 49 counties in North Florida.
In the state of North Carolina:
Tragically, a person lost their life when a presumed tornado hit a mobile home park in the town of Claremont, located north of Charlotte, as confirmed by a spokesperson for Catawba County.
In response to the impending storm, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency, as reported by the state's Department of Transportation. Some schools took precautionary measures by either canceling classes or closing early.
The impact of the tornado also extended to South Carolina.
Snowfall Blankets the Midwest:
A snowstorm that began on Monday has covered a wide region, spanning from southeastern Colorado to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, with accumulations reaching up to 12 inches (30 centimeters).
Tragically, two fatalities were reported by the Associated Press due to hazardous road conditions following the snowstorm. The roads were covered in layers of slush and snow, with fog further complicating conditions. An SUV driver lost their life in a head-on collision with a semitrailer on state Highway 18 early Tuesday. Fortunately, the semitrailer driver escaped unharmed.
In western Michigan, a 35-year-old woman died after losing control of her minivan on a slushy highway, resulting in a collision with an SUV, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Winter storm warnings were issued for various areas, including Madison, Wisconsin, Northwestern Illinois, the Chicago area, Gary in Indiana, and the Kansas City metro area in Kansas and Missouri. This marked the first major winter storm of the season for the Kansas City region.
Moving Towards the Northeast:
The storm was anticipated to move towards the east, reaching the Northeast by Tuesday night. It was expected to bring a mix of snow, rain, and strong winds, raising concerns about potential flooding, especially in New England, where some areas had received over a foot of snow on Sunday, as per the Associated Press.
Responding to the situation, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency starting at 5 pm on Tuesday. He urged people not to underestimate the severity of the storm and to take necessary precautions.
In New York City, authorities initiated the evacuation of around 2,000 migrants who were residing in a large white tent complex situated at a former airport in a secluded area of Brooklyn. An aide to Mayor Eric Adams cited forecasted wind speeds exceeding 70 mph (112 kph) on Tuesday night as the reason for the evacuation.
In Western New York, the state imposed a ban on empty trucks and trailers on several major roadways.
Governor Janet Mills of Maine responded to the storm by delaying the opening of all state offices until noon on Wednesday.
The electricity provider National Grid in Massachusetts assured readiness for potential hazardous wind gusts and heavy rains. They reported having additional crews and personnel on standby to address any power outages that might occur.
Chill and Snow Blanket Southwest as Freezing Temperatures Set In:
In certain areas of Arizona, a cold front swept through, bringing temperatures below freezing on Tuesday. The National Weather Service recorded a frigid minus-17 reading at the Snow Bowl in northern Arizona, as highlighted by the Associated Press.
Meanwhile, in northeastern New Mexico, the State Department of Transportation reported that snowplows worked tirelessly on Monday afternoon to clear US Highway 56 and rescue over 25 stranded vehicles.
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