On Tuesday night, a powerful system of thunderstorms swept through several states in the Ohio Valley, leaving more than 275,000 homes and businesses without power. The affected states include West Virginia, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. The storms brought damaging winds, dangerous hail, and reported tornadoes, resulting in significant destruction and chaos.
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice declared a state of emergency for Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, and Nicholas counties due to the widespread impact of the storms. In Fayette County, West Virginia, at least 13 homes were damaged, and some residents sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The Office of Emergency Management reported that several homes were destroyed or severely damaged.
The Storm Prediction Center confirmed 14 tornadoes across Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Alabama, and Tennessee on Tuesday, along with numerous reports of damaging winds and hail. The severe weather continued into Wednesday, with a confirmed tornado in Conyers, Georgia, and a tornado watch in effect for parts of Georgia and South Carolina.
In addition to tornadoes, the storms brought wind gusts of up to 65 mph and hail as large as 1.5 inches in diameter. Utility customers in West Virginia faced power outages, with over 128,000 customers still without electricity on Tuesday night. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a statewide state of emergency as the Lexington area experienced significant storm damage.
Tennessee, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Indiana also reported tornadoes and storm-related damage. In Texas, massive hailstones as large as 4.5 inches in diameter were reported. The severe weather threat is expected to shift eastward, impacting the East Coast with strong winds, hail, and thunderstorms.
As the storm system moves towards the East Coast, a long-duration winter storm is forecasted to bring significant snow and gusty winds to the Great Lakes and Northeast regions. Winter weather alerts are in effect for nearly 12 million people, with heavy snowfall expected in parts of Wisconsin, Upper Michigan, and northern New England.
The National Weather Service warns of hazardous travel conditions, power outages, and coastal flooding in the Northeast due to the combination of heavy snow and strong winds. Residents are advised to stay weather aware and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during this severe weather event.
