US weather blitz: Blizzards, floods, tornadoes
Millions of Americans braced for a multi-pronged weather assault Friday as blizzards slammed the Midwest, coastal flooding loomed on the East Coast, and the threat of tornadoes hung over the South, as reported by Reuters.
The frigid Midwest bore the brunt of the wintry wrath, with howling winds gusting up to 60 mph and near-whiteout conditions blanketing much of the region. "This storm system is definitely dangerous," cautioned National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Zack Taylor, urging residents to stay indoors. Travel warnings blanketed the area, including Chicago, where visibility dipped below half a mile, forcing major highway closures.
Michigan endured the brunt of the power outages, with over 133,000 homes and businesses plunged into darkness. Wisconsin, West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania shared the blackout misery, totaling another 150,000 affected customers.
Meanwhile, rising tides and pounding rain along the East Coast raised flood concerns, prompting coastal communities to brace for potential inundation. The NWS issued coastal flood warnings from New Jersey to Maine, advising residents to stay informed and prepare for possible evacuations.
Adding to the weather chaos, the South faced the potential for twisters, with isolated tornadic activity predicted across parts of the region. Residents were urged to monitor weather alerts and seek shelter if necessary.
With frigid temperatures compounding the blizzard conditions in the Midwest, the NWS warned of severe dangers for those caught outdoors. "The risk of frostbite and hypothermia is real," emphasised Taylor, particularly in Iowa, where temperatures were expected to plummet below zero Fahrenheit.
As the weather system rampaged across the nation, emergency crews stood ready to respond to any crisis. The full extent of the damage and disruption remained unclear, but officials urged caution and preparedness as the weather onslaught persisted.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
