Severe Storm Hits Eastern US, 2 Dead, Thousands Of Flights Cancelled, Over A Million Left Without Power

Residents across over 10 states in the US were left without power and thousands of flights were affected as severe storm hit the eastern US.

Millions have been kept under a tornado watch, thousands of flights have been cancelled and over a million are left without power as a severe storm moved through the eastern US, reported The Associated Press. The report added that two people have also died due to the prevailing situation while many government offices have been shut for the time being. AP stated that around 1.1 million homes and businesses faced power outages on Monday as heavy storms, including hail and lightning, hit the eastern US. 

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for the greater D.C. area, lasting until 9 pm, as reported by AP. According to a special Weather Service warning, as quoted by AP, "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 watch and warnings have been issued for 10 states from Tennessee to New York, AP said. It added that the National Weather Service stated that over 29.5 million people were under a tornado watch Monday afternoon. 

Meanwhile, police in Alabama said that a 28-year-old man was struck by lightning and died, WAAY-TV reported, as quoted by AP. 

Over 2,600 US flights were cancelled by Monday night whereas 7,900 were delayed, AP mentioned in the report citing the flight tracking service FlightAware. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed it was rerouting planes around storms heading to the East Coast. 

President Joe Biden’s departure on a four-day trip to Arizona, New Mexico and Utah was delayed by around 90 minutes, the news outlet reported adding that the White House also cancelled a back-to-school cybersecurity event that was to feature first lady Jill Biden.  

"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, as quoted by AP. 

Strong advised resident to be at home or work and ‘have yourself in a strong shelter’.  

People across Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia and Virginia — all states along the storm system’s path, were left without power, according to poweroutage.us, AP stated in the report. 

Subscribe And Follow ABP Live On Telegram: https://t.me/officialabplive