A massive winter storm has battered the central and eastern United States, leaving a trail of destruction, power outages, and deadly conditions. The system unleashed hurricane-force winds, blizzard conditions, and tornadoes across multiple states, causing at least five deaths in Nebraska and Mississippi.
On the East Coast, the storm intensified, delivering heavy rain, damaging winds, and potential tornado threats from Pennsylvania to northern Florida. Southeast Virginia and the Carolinas faced the worst conditions, with wildfires already impacting parts of the region. The National Weather Service warned of localized flooding, widespread power outages, and significant travel delays.
The storm also wreaked havoc on air travel, with hundreds of flights canceled or delayed at major hubs, including Charlotte, Washington, D.C., and Dallas.
While a brief respite is expected over the weekend, forecasters are already monitoring another potential outbreak of severe weather next week, which could bring additional storms across the central U.S.
Source: USA Today