A deadly winter storm that has wreaked havoc across the U.S. with tornadoes, snow, rain and flooding is set to pound the Northeast overnight.
The storm has the potential to knock out power for the region's 55 million residents, including New York City, Philadelphia and Boston. It has already left a trail of damage.
At least three deaths were reported due to the weather. An 81-year-old woman died in Alabama early Tuesday as the storm spawned tornadoes across the Southeast early Tuesday. The same system caused snow and travel problems in the Midwest.
The Mid-Atlantic experienced heavy rains and flooding. In North Carolina, more than 170,000 people lost power due to the storm. Parts of historic Alexandria, Virginia, were under water as streets were inundated by floodwaters.
All 50 states were placed under a weather warning due to the storm.
A deadly winter storm that has wreaked havoc across the U.S. with tornadoes, snow, rain and flooding is set to pound the Northeast overnight
The Mid-Atlantic struggled with heavy rains and flooding, including in Baltimore (pictured), resulting in deserted flooding
Parts of the Carolinas, including Greenville, South Carolina, also faced flooding due to the storm
I keep blinking to make sure my sleepless eyes aren't deceiving me. Look at the bizarrely immense size of this storm system that spawned devastating Panama City. #Florida #Tornado this morning…started as a blizzard in Quebec and ended near thunderstorms… pic.twitter.com/C3pkC56NxH
— Backpirch Weather (@BackpirchCrew) January 9, 2024
Northeast
Widespread heavy rain, strong winds and severe thunderstorms that hit Tuesday are expected to continue into the next day as utilities struggle to restore power.
A storm warning is in effect for New York state until Wednesday morning, with speeds up to 70 miles per hour.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams urged residents to prepare for “more severe weather” that could lead to flooding later in the day.
A state of emergency was put into effect in New Jersey, a country hit by power outages. Gov. Phil Murphy warned that the worst was yet to come.
“Starting tomorrow morning and continuing into Wednesday morning, we expect 1 to 10 cm of rain, strong winds and possible inland and coastal flooding,” said Governor Murphy.
People carry umbrellas in Times Square in New York on Tuesday as the city braces for gusty winds and heavy rain
“This storm will exacerbate the effects of the harsh conditions we experienced in December and this past weekend, and could precede another storm Friday evening.” As always, I urge all New Jerseyans – including residents of our coastal and riverine communities “To follow all safety protocols and stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.”
A flood warning is in effect until midnight for New York City and Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union counties in New Jersey.
Across the Northeast on Wednesday morning, commuters in general are being warned of possible travel chaos due to ongoing flooding and roads blocked by fallen trees.
East Coast
Flooding in Greenville, South Carolina, downing power lines during the winter storm on Tuesday
The sun sets, creating a horrific sight along Latham Road in Greensboro. Neighbors rescued the woman from this car, which was still stuck in floodwaters. pic.twitter.com/qCkmcOsqOV
— Sarah Winkelmann (@SarahWinkelmann) January 9, 2024
Heavy rains and strong winds destroyed power lines in Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and the Carolinas.
In Claremont, North Carolina, one person died after the storm devastated a mobile home park.
Strong gusts in the Washington area forced Vice President Kamala Harris' plane to head to another airport on its return flight from Georgia.
“Air Force 2 has landed safely at Dulles and all passengers are safe,” Kirsten Allen, the vice president’s press secretary, said in a statement.
Flood warnings were in effect for the capital on Tuesday evening after the area was inundated by 2.5 inches of rain and another 1.5 inches was forecast.
Middle West
The snow and blizzard conditions that hit much of the Midwest under Winter Storm Finn are expected to continue as the system sweeps across the region.
According to KCCI, nearly a foot of snow fell in parts of Iowa from the storm, including Des Moines, which recorded 11.2 inches of snow Tuesday evening.
In Chicago, residents struggled with a wintry mix from the storm that wreaked havoc on the evening commute.
The snow and blizzard conditions that hit much of the Midwest under Winter Storm Finn are expected to continue as the system sweeps across the region
In Chicago, residents struggled with a wintry mix from the storm that wreaked havoc on the evening commute
Meteorologists expect parts of the Windy City metro area to receive another 10 to 7 inches of snow overnight, according to ABC Chicago.
In Detroit, experts warn of freezing temperatures and snowfall in the area, with totals expected to reach about 6 inches by the end of the storm.
“It's kind of our first major snow event of the season,” Andrew Arnold, a National Weather Service meteorologist in White Lake Township, told the Detroit Free Press. “We have a winter storm weather watch deployed toward Midland and Bay Counties.”
South-East
Tornadoes are believed to have resulted in at least two deaths in the Southeast
In the southeast, the storm brought strong wind gusts across the region and triggered some tornadoes.
At least one death has already been recorded in Alabama after 81-year-old Charlotte Paschal's mobile home overturned when a tornado touched down early Tuesday morning.
A suspected tornado hit the Florida panhandle on Tuesday, causing damage to homes and businesses. About 15 tornado warnings were issued across the region during the storm, according to Fox Weather.
A marina was destroyed near Panama City Beach, causing many beaches to overturn during the storm.
In Georgia, authorities in Jonesboro are investigating the death of a driver who is believed to have died after a tree fell on his car during the storm.
Pacific Northwest
A blizzard warning has been issued for parts of the Pacific Northwest and will remain in effect through Wednesday
The peak of the “bomb cyclone” that hit the region left more than 100,000 people without power in western Washington and Oregon early Tuesday morning.
Storms with speeds of up to 60 miles per hour and two feet of snow created blizzard conditions across the Cascades and Olympics, making travel difficult to impossible.
The blizzard warning was the first in 11 years issued by the National Weather Service office in Seattle.
Blizzard warnings remain in effect until Wednesday morning, with forecasters predicting another 16 inches of snow.
The storm will eventually be felt in California, where winter storm warnings are in effect in Siskiyous and the Sierra Nevada from Wednesday into early Thursday, with up to three feet of snow at higher elevations.