Powerful storms sweeping across the United States have caused widespread devastation, leaving at least three people dead in Mississippi and wreaking havoc from the Midwest to the East Coast. Tornado warnings were issued in multiple states, while heavy snow and blizzard conditions slammed the Midwest.
In Mississippi, severe weather claimed the lives of three individuals. One person in Madison County died after being struck by a falling power line, another was killed when a tree fell on his car, and a woman in Clarke County lost her life when a tree limb fell on her outside her home.
The small town of Norman in Oklahoma saw roofs ripped from buildings as the storms charged eastward. Meanwhile, tornado warnings were issued in the Carolinas, Florida, and Virginia. An EF1 tornado touched down in Unionville, North Carolina, causing structural damage and power outages, though no injuries were reported.
Wildfires in Texas were exacerbated by dry, windy conditions, with high winds and dry vegetation fueling blazes in several areas. In San Patricio County near Corpus Christi, a wildfire destroyed at least 20 homes and structures. Critical fire weather conditions are expected to continue across south-central Texas.
Blizzard conditions hit eastern Nebraska, bringing around 10 centimeters of snow and winds up to 105 kilometers per hour, leading to road closures and dangerous driving conditions. Minnesota and Iowa also faced heavy snowfall, with Minneapolis receiving the heaviest snow of the season at 18.8 centimeters. Slippery roads led to numerous accidents, prompting Minnesota’s governor to authorize the National Guard to assist stranded drivers.
In response to the severe weather, Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans were altered, with parades being moved up and shortened due to stormy winds. Across the central and southeastern U.S., thousands of people were left without electricity, including tens of thousands of homes and businesses in Texas, Virginia, and Tennessee.
Flight cancellations impacted travelers nationwide, with about 800 flights into or out of U.S. airports canceled. As the storms continue eastward, severe weather threats persist from Florida to New York state.
Meanwhile, forecasters warn that a Pacific storm is expected to bring widespread rain and mountain snow across California and other parts of the West from Wednesday into Friday.
