Powerful storms have wreaked havoc across the United States, causing widespread flooding, tornadoes, and blizzards. The Northeast was hit hard with heavy rain and fierce winds, knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of people. The storm washed out roads, downed trees and power lines, and brought wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph. New Jersey experienced significant flooding, with some areas receiving up to 3 inches of rain, causing road closures and river overflow. Similar conditions were reported in New York and Maine, where the governor delayed the opening of all state offices due to the severe weather.
The storm was preceded by tornadoes and severe accidents in the South, and blizzards in the Midwest and Northwest. The wild weather also affected parts of the Northeast that were still recovering from a recent nor’easter that dumped more than a foot of snow in some areas. The storm led to flooded intersections in Connecticut, with at least one motorist needing to be rescued from a vehicle.
Tragically, several deaths have been attributed to the storms, including an 81-year-old woman in Alabama whose home was hit by a suspected tornado. In the Midwest, slushy highways led to fatal collisions. Meanwhile, coastal flooding on Long Island left streets inundated, and parts of Florida remained under flood watches and warnings.
The storm also impacted campaigning for Iowa’s Jan. 15 precinct caucuses, with snow and frigid temperatures expected. Forecasters warned of plunging temperatures and dangerous wind chill in the Midwest and Great Plains. In the Pacific Northwest, a blizzard knocked out power and closed highways and ski resorts in Washington and Oregon mountains.
The storms caused havoc with power lines in various states, leaving nearly 500,000 customers without electricity. As the affected areas began cleanup and recovery efforts, the National Weather Service planned to survey suspected tornado damage in several counties in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida issued a state of emergency for 49 counties in North Florida due to the severe weather.
Multiple states are now assessing the damage and working on recovery efforts. While the storms have passed, the impact will be felt for days to come as communities work to rebuild and restore normalcy.