As severe storms, involving hail and lightning, rolled over the eastern United States on Monday, at least two people were killed, scores of flights were cancelled or delayed, and more than 1.1 million households and businesses lost electricity.
The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for the greater D.C. area, lasting until 9 p.m. A special Weather Service statement warned, “There is a significant threat for damaging and locally destructive hurricane-force winds, along with the potential for large hail and tornadoes, even strong tornadoes.”
Tornado watches and warnings were issued from Tennessee to New York as the storms moved across the country. The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for more than 29.5 million people Monday afternoon.
According to the Anderson County Office of the Coroner, a 15-year-old kid who came at his grandparents’ house during the storm was struck and killed when a tree fell on him as he got out of a car.
According to WAAY-TV, a 28-year-old man was struck by lightning and died in Florence, Alabama.
According to flight tracking service FlightAware, more than 2,600 US flights had been cancelled and almost 7,900 had been delayed as of Monday night. Many cancellations were reported at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which was still dealing with the effects of Sunday’s storms.
The Federal Aviation Administration announced that planes would be rerouted to avoid storms approaching the East Coast.
The White House has delayed President Joe Biden’s departure on a four-day tour to Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah by 90 minutes. The White House also cancelled a back-to-school cybersecurity event with first lady Jill Biden, a teacher, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and school administrators, educators, and education technology providers from across the country.
The Office of Personnel Management stated Monday that all non-emergency employees would be required to leave by 3 p.m., when all government offices would close.
“This does look to be one of the most impactful severe weather events across the Mid-Atlantic that we have had in some time,” National Weather Service meteorologist Chris Strong said in a Facebook live briefing.
Because of the storms, government employees were sent home early to avoid being stuck in their automobiles in the wind, hail, and tornadoes.
“Have yourself in a strong shelter,” solid warned people. “Stay at home or go to work.”
The storms forced the postponement of a Major League Baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals in Philadelphia, and the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning in Maryland until Tuesday after 4 inches (10.2 centimetres) of rain fell in a short period of time.
According to poweroutage.us, more than 1.1 million customers were without power by early evening across Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Virginia – all states in the storm system’s path. The Knoxville Utilities Board stated that the damage in Tennessee was “widespread and extensive,” and that it would take several days to repair.
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News agencies reported that trees and electricity lines were toppled in numerous states, tumbling into roadways and some homes.
According to WJLA-TV, a row of utility poles collapsed near Westminster, Maryland.
According to 6ABC-TV, at least one home in Hockessin, Delaware, had its roof ripped off.
