A major winter storm has wreaked havoc across the United States, leading to multiple deaths and widespread power outages. The National Weather Service reported that the storm has caused river flooding in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, blizzard conditions in western Alaska, and significant snowfall in northern Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. In addition, the South has experienced severe weather, with roofs blown off homes and debris scattered about. Florida, in particular, is under flood watches, warnings, and advisories due to concerns about streams and rivers overflowing.
In the Northeast, hundreds of thousands of people have been left without power, with over 120,000 in New York and 80,000 in Pennsylvania affected. The region has also experienced flooding, causing disruptions to transportation and education. Train lines in New York City were affected, and a highway in the Bronx was flooded, impacting morning commuters. Meanwhile, parts of Long Island’s southern shore were inundated by coastal flooding, leading to school closures and delays.
The severe weather has resulted in several fatalities, including an 81-year-old woman in Alabama whose mobile home was tossed from its foundation by a suspected tornado. Additionally, a person in North Carolina and a man south of Atlanta died in separate incidents related to the storm. Two more deaths occurred in the Midwest due to slushy highways and separate collisions.
As the situation continues to unfold, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 49 counties in North Florida, while the National Weather Service has dispatched tornado survey teams to assess the damage in several areas. With the storms ongoing and the death toll rising, this story will continue to be updated as new information becomes available.