Three individuals lost their lives on Tuesday due to the severe weather that has ravaged the Southeastern United States. In response to a series of tornadoes that caused extensive destruction, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency.
Forecasters are cautioning that there is still more to come, as tornado watches are currently in effect from Florida to Virginia.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took swift action in response to the severe storms that wreaked havoc in the state. He declared a state of emergency for 49 out of Florida’s 67 counties and promptly activated the Florida State Guard on Monday. The storms arrived in the early hours of Tuesday morning, causing significant damage to buildings, uprooting trees, and leaving thousands of residents without power in multiple states.
An 81-year-old woman tragically lost her life in Alabama as a tornado struck Cottonwood, resulting in severe damage to several buildings. In North Georgia, a man was killed when a massive tree toppled onto his car in Clayton County amidst strong winds and heavy rainfall. This unfortunate incident has also caused extensive flooding and power outages in the area. Additionally, in Claremont, N.C., a third individual was reported to have died after a powerful wind storm inflicted significant damage to homes in a mobile home park. The National Weather Service is currently assessing whether this particular storm was indeed a tornado.
In Marianna, there have been reports of injuries, but fortunately, no deaths have been recorded in Florida.
Accuweather shared a post on X, showcasing the initial glimpse of the tornado’s devastation in Marianna, Florida. The destructive force had torn apart buildings and toppled mobile homes.
I woke up early on Tuesday morning to witness the aftermath of a devastating tornado that had struck Marianna, Florida. As I looked around, it was heartbreaking to see the destruction that had taken place. Buildings lay in ruins, torn apart by the mighty force of the tornado. Mobile homes, once standing proudly, were now tipped over and scattered across the landscape. The scene was a stark reminder of the immense power and destructive capabilities of nature.
The Gulf Coast remains under a continuous threat of tornadoes this morning, according to AccuWeather. The weather service shared a video on Twitter showing the ongoing tornado activity in the region.
The storm that occurred on Tuesday initially hit the Midwest with blizzard conditions. However, it also brought along heavy rain, strong winds, and tornadoes across a large portion of the South.
The Florida Panhandle was hit by severe weather, with the National Weather Service confirming the occurrence of at least three tornadoes. Wind gusts reaching 106 mph caused significant damage, including the toppling of trees and widespread power outages affecting thousands of people.
The City of Tallahassee stated in a recent social media post that electric crews are diligently working to restore power as quickly and safely as they can.
Electric crews are working diligently to restore power in various areas of the City. Recent progress has been made near Roberts Avenue, Jackson Bluff Road, Miccosukee Road, Cherry Laurel Street, Bannerman Road, Lantern Light Road, Teal Lane, and Surgeons Drive. The City of Tallahassee shared a tweet showcasing their ongoing efforts. Check out the tweet below:
Several schools and government buildings in the Southeast closed down, while others arranged for early dismissals. In addition, airports in the Midwest and Southeast experienced flight delays and cancellations as they prepared for the anticipated arrival of more severe weather.
The National Weather Service issued a warning today at 2 p.m. EST, urging residents in the southeastern United States to take immediate action as a line of severe thunderstorms, including tornadoes, advances eastward. In their post on X, they emphasized the importance of seeking shelter in a sturdy building’s lowest floor and moving to an interior room. It is crucial to avoid windows during this time.
A line of severe thunderstorms, accompanied by tornadoes, is currently moving eastward across the southeastern US. The National Weather Service (NWS) is urging individuals in areas under tornado warnings to take immediate cover. It is advised to seek shelter in the lowest level of a strong building, preferably in an interior room, and to stay away from windows. Stay safe and follow the guidance of the NWS.
Forecasters and the Storm Prediction Center are cautioning that a powerful low pressure system will persistently advance across the eastern United States, resulting in severe weather conditions across parts of Florida and a large portion of the Southeast until Tuesday.
The forecasters have issued a warning for severe thunderstorms in North Florida, with an enhanced risk. Central Florida, on the other hand, is facing a slight risk for severe weather. The potential threats include damaging wind gusts exceeding 70 mph, large hail, and flash flooding. In addition, tornado watches have been put in place for the Florida Panhandle and Big Ben, extending north along the Southeast into Virginia. These warnings will remain in effect until Tuesday.
In his executive order, Governor DeSantis declared the existence of a state of emergency due to the aforementioned conditions, which are anticipated to be a significant disaster. This declaration will enable Florida to efficiently redirect resources and facilitate coordination among emergency agencies, especially with the impending arrival of severe weather from the west.
The state of emergency in Florida encompasses the following counties: Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Marion, Nassau, Okaloosa, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Seminole, Sumter, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington.
Blizzard conditions are expected to hit the Northeast as the storms make their way across the South on Tuesday.
The Northeast is also preparing for a significant amount of rainfall, expected to reach between 1 and 3 inches by Tuesday night. This comes after a major snowstorm swept across New England, leaving up to 22 inches of snow in its wake over the weekend.
The National Weather Service issued a warning on Monday night, stating that the Eastern United States can expect heavy rainfall leading to widespread and potentially significant river and flash flooding on Tuesday. Additionally, there is a possibility of severe thunderstorms across parts of the Southeast. Meanwhile, heavy snowfall is expected to persist in certain areas of the Midwest and the Cascades.
The Eastern U.S can expect widespread and potentially significant river and flash flooding on Tuesday due to heavy rainfall. Severe thunderstorms may also occur in parts of the Southeast. Meanwhile, heavy snowfall will persist in certain areas of the Midwest and the Cascades. The National Weather Service shared this information on Twitter with a photo.
Meteorologists from the National Weather Service attributed this week’s severe weather to an El Niño event that they described as “historically strong.”
According to NWS meteorologist Nick Carr, the current weather pattern is a classic El Niño pattern where the subtropical jet is causing the formation of numerous high clouds. Carr explains that the storm pattern is also progressive, with a consistent stream of systems occurring every two or three days. He describes it as a steady and continuous occurrence.
