Millions brace for extreme weather in US as thunderstorms hit states | US News

Millions of people across the United States were bracing for extreme weather Wednesday as powerful thunderstorms battered multiple states, bringing strong winds, rain and other dangerous weather conditions.

As of Wednesday morning, more than 275,000 residents in Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan and Kentucky were without power due to the severe storm. power outage.us.

Most of the power outages were in West Virginia, where Jim Justice declared a state of emergency in several counties due to dangerous weather. Severe storms in the state caused “flooding, downed trees, power outages and road closures,” the governor said in his state of emergency declaration.

At least 13 homes were damaged in Fayette County, West Virginia, in the central part of the state. Some non-life-threatening injuries were also reported. CNN.

The National Weather Service reported multiple tornadoes were seen across the Midwest and Southern states Tuesday night. Tornadoes were seen in Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, and Georgia, and at least one death was reported in Oklahoma. The New York Times reported.

millions of residents south carolina, Georgia and Florida remain under a tornado watch. The warning, issued by the National Weather Service (NWS), is in effect until 1 p.m. ET and covers major cities including Tallahassee, Florida and Savannah, Georgia.

“We continue to see an organized storm moving through parts of the region. [south-west Georgia] Georgia and the South [Florida] Big bend this morning. Harmful winds, tornadoes, isolated hail and frequent lightning strikes are the main concerns,” the National Weather Service Tallahassee office said. In a post to X.

Severe thunderstorms also caused extensive damage in several states in the Midwest.

Residents in Vanderburgh, southwest Indiana, reported multiple instances of downed power lines and damage to homes. Fox Weather reported.

Strong winds also caused several vehicles to overturn in southern Indiana, a spokesperson for the Indiana State Police in Sellersburg told CNN.

In some counties, kentucky Flood advisories are also in place for the area following heavy rainfall. The NWS warned affected residents to avoid flooded roads and report damage to local emergency responders.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency Tuesday after severe storms brought “heavy rain, hail, lightning, possible tornadoes, and high winds that could cause significant damage” across the state. .

Beshear added that damage to buildings has been reported across Kentucky, but no deaths have been reported.

Meanwhile, a major winter storm is expected to hit several Midwestern states and the New England region. Approximately 12 million residents are under winter weather warnings, with severe hail and strong winds still possible, CNN reported.

parts of wisconsin The National Weather Service says a blizzard warning is already in effect for northern Michigan.