Intense thunderstorms and tornadoes were part of a massive storm that swept throughout the South, ripping off rooves and flipping campers.
As it made its way toward the Northeast, the storm buried cities throughout the Midwest under more than half a foot of snow, leaving many stranded on roadways. Hail and gusts of 55 mph swept over the Florida Panhandle and into portions of Alabama and Georgia before morning, causing at least four fatalities. Near the shore in Walton County, Florida, a wind gust of 106 mph was reported.
The mobile home park in Claremont, North Carolina, was hit by what seemed to be a tornado, causing one person to die and two others to be in serious condition. One of the busiest freeways in the country, I-95, was closed in both directions at Rocky Mount due to fallen power lines.
Over 84 million people were still under flood warnings and watches along the East Coast.
At least four tornadoes slammed the Florida Panhandle. On Tuesday, many counties in North Florida were ordered to shut their schools after Governor Ron DeSantis announced a state of emergency. Debris, including roofs, furniture, and fences, were scattered around Panama City Beach, Florida.
Authorities in Panama City warned citizens to remain home and refrain from driving “unless essential” as they assessed the tornado damage.
Flash flooding caused by heavy rain in Georgia halted morning commuters on roads near Atlanta.
Due to a state of emergency announced by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, heavy vehicles transporting agricultural commodities or emergency supplies are no longer subject to weight and size limits.
The storm deposited 8 to 12 inches of snow in parts of Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota in the west and southwest. Southeastern Wisconsin was the site of a deadly collision, while western Michigan was the site of the death of a 35-year-old woman who lost control of her minivan on a snowy roadway.
By Tuesday night, the storm is predicted to make its way east, bringing snow, rain, and high winds to the Northeast. Some regions, including New England, are preparing for flooding.
