USA: Two Killed, Thousands Of Flights Cancelled As Massive Storms Hit Several States

NEW YORK: Severe storms accompanied by hail and lightning, struck the eastern region of the US on Monday leaving at least two people dead.

The storms led to thousands of US flights being cancelled or delayed, with more than 1.1 million homes and businesses across several states losing power. The National Weather Service warned that a tornado is likely to hit the greater DC area, which could last until 9 p.m.

A special statement from the Weather Service warned of a threat from damage- causing and locally destructive winds of hurricane-force, as well as potential for large hail and even strong tornadoes.

The extent of the storms was widespread, with tornado watches mounted and warnings posted across 10 US states from Tennessee to New York. The National Weather Service said that more than 29.5 million people had been placed under a tornado watch Monday afternoon.

More than 2,600 US flights had been cancelled and nearly 7,900 delayed by Monday night, said flight tracking service FlightAware. Many of the cancellations were reported at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which was recovering from disruptions caused by Sunday storms.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) informed that rerouting of planes heading to the East Coast was being done around storms. The White House took a precautionary step of advancing by 90 minutes President Joe Biden's departure on a four-day trip that is scheduled to take him to Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. The White House also cancelled a cyber security event for school administrators, educators and education technology providers from around the country slated to feature first lady Jill Biden, who is a teacher. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and others were to attend.

The Office of Personnel Management on Monday instructed all non-emergency employees to depart before 3 p.m., the time when all federal offices closed.

National Weather Service meteorologist Chris Strong said in a Facebook live briefing that it looked to be one of the most impactful severe weather events across the Mid-Atlantic experienced in some time.

Major population areas were expected to be struck by the storms in late afternoon and early evening, which prompted federal workers to be sent home early so they would not be caught out in their cars amid wind, hail and tornadoes.

Meteorologist Chris Strong advised residents to put up in a strong shelter and to be either at home or at work.

A Major League Baseball game between the Phillies and the Washington Nationals in Philadelphia had to be postponed due to the storms, even as the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning in Maryland unto Tuesday after rainfall measuring 4 inches (10.2 centimetres) fell within a short amount of time.

By Monday evening, more than 1.1 million customers were left without power across Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia and Virginia, all of the states that lay along the storm system's path, according to poweroutage.us. The Knoxville Utilities Board tweeted of “widespread and extensive” damage across its service area caused in Tennessee and likely to take several days to repair.

The storm winds led to toppling of trees and power lines in multiple states, with some falling onto roads and some on homes, news reports said.

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