A deadly winter storm that has caused chaos across the U.S. with tornadoes, snow, rain and flooding is set to hit the Northeast overnight.
The storm has the potential to knock out power to the 55 million people living in the region, including New York City, Philadelphia and Boston. It has already left a trail of damage.
There have been at least three fatalities due to the weather. An 81-year-old woman died in Alabama early Tuesday as the storm spawned tornadoes in the Southeast early Tuesday. The same system caused snow and travel problems in the Midwest.
The mid-Atlantic has experienced heavy rain and flooding. In North Carolina, more than 170,000 people lost power due to the storm. Parts of historic Alexandria, Virginia, were underwater as floodwaters filled the streets.
Due to the storm, all 50 states were placed under a weather alert.
A deadly winter storm that has caused chaos across the US with tornadoes, snow, rain and flooding will hit the Northeast overnight
The mid-Atlantic has experienced heavy rainfall and flooding, including Baltimore (pictured), leading to desolation and flooding
Parts of the Carolinas, including Greenville, South Carolina, also experienced flooding due to the storm
North-East
The widespread heavy rain, high winds and intense thunderstorms that arrived Tuesday are expected to continue into the next day as utilities battle to restore power.
A high wind warning is in effect for New York state until Wednesday morning for storm speeds of up to 75 miles per hour.
New York Mayor Eric Adams told residents to brace for “more severe weather” that could lead to flooding during the day.
A state of emergency went into effect in New Jersey, one of the areas hit by power outages, with Governor Phil Murphy warning the worst could yet come.
‘Beginning tomorrow morning and continuing through Wednesday morning, we expect 1 to 4 inches of heavy rain, high winds and possible inland and coastal flooding,” Governor Murphy said.
People carry umbrellas in New York’s Times Square on Tuesday as the city braces for gusty winds and heavy rain
“This storm will exacerbate the effects of the poor conditions we experienced in December and last weekend and could precede another storm on Friday evening. As always, I urge all New Jerseyans – including residents of our coastal and riverine communities – to follow all safety protocols and stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.”
A flood warning is in effect until midnight for New York City and Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union counties in New Jersey.
Overall, commuters in the Northeast are being warned of possible travel chaos on Wednesday morning due to persistent flooding and blocked roads due to fallen trees.
east coast
Flooding in Greenville, South Carolina, downing power lines during the winter storm on Tuesday
Heavy rains and strong winds downed power lines in Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and the Carolinas.
In Claremont, North Carolina, one person was killed after the storm ripped through a mobile home park.
High winds in the Washington area forced Vice President Kamala Harris’ plane to divert to another airport as it returned from Georgia.
“Air Force 2 landed safely at Dulles and all passengers are safe,” Kirsten Allen, the vice president’s press secretary, said in a statement.
Flood warnings were in force for the capital on Tuesday evening after the area was inundated by 6.5 centimeters of rain with a further 2.5 centimeters forecast.
Midwest
The snow and blizzard conditions that battered much of the Midwest under Winter Storm Finn will continue as the system sweeps through the region.
Nearly a foot of snow fell in some parts of Iowa from the storm, including Des Moines, which recorded 11 inches on Tuesday evening. KCCI.
In Chicago, residents faced a wintry mix from the storm that wreaked havoc during evening traffic.
The snow and blizzard conditions that lashed much of the Midwest under Winter Storm Finn will continue as the system sweeps through the region
In Chicago, residents faced a wintry mix from the storm that wreaked havoc during evening traffic
Forecasters say there are still parts of the Windy City metro area that will see another four to seven inches of snow overnight. ABC Chicago.
In Detroit, experts are warning of frigid temperatures and snow in the area, with a total of about six inches before the storm passes.
“It’s kind of our first bigger snow event this season,” Andrew Arnold, a National Weather Service meteorologist in White Lake Township, told the Detroit Free Press. “We have a winter storm weather warning that is out, heading into Midland and Bay County.”
Southeast
Suspected tornadoes are believed to have caused at least two deaths in the Southeast
In the southeast, the storm brought strong wind gusts across the region and spawned some tornadoes.
There has already been at least one fatality in Alabama after 81-year-old Charlotte Paschal’s mobile home was flipped when a tornado touched down early Tuesday morning.
A suspected tornado struck the Florida panhandle on Tuesday, causing damage to homes and businesses. About 15 tornado warnings were issued throughout the area during the storm Fox again.
A marina was destroyed near Panama City Beach, causing many beaches to topple during the storm.
In Georgia, authorities in Jonesboro are investigating the death of a motorist believed to have been killed after a tree fell on his car during the storm.
Pacific Northwest
The peak of the ‘bomb cyclone’ that hit the region left more than 100,000 people without power in western Washington and Oregon early Tuesday morning.
Gusty winds of up to 60 miles per hour and two feet of snow produced blizzard conditions over the Cascades and the Olympics, making travel difficult to impossible.
Blizzard warnings remain in effect until Wednesday morning, with forecasters predicting another 16 inches of snow.
The storm will eventually be felt in California, where winter storm warnings are in effect in the Siskiyous and Sierra Nevada from early Wednesday through early Thursday, with up to three feet of snow falling in areas at higher elevations.