Severe Weather Hits the US, Causing Widespread Damage and Disruption
Powerful storms tore roofs off an apartment building and a nursing home in a small town in Oklahoma and threatened more communities across the country with weather ranging from fire in the Southern High Plains to blizzards in the Midwest. The storms also caused dust storms that blinded drivers in the Southwest, and tornadoes were possible in the South, while blizzard conditions descended on the Central Plains.
The potent weather system was part of the same line of storms that brought damage to parts of North Texas early Tuesday, including in Lewisville and Plano. In New Orleans, high winds were forcing some changes to Mardi Gras, with the city moving up and shortening the celebration’s two biggest parades, hoping to wrap them up before high winds moved in.
Nation Faces a Number of Weather Threats
Storms that swept through Texas and Oklahoma early Tuesday morning brought high winds and rain, overturning tractor-trailers and damaging roofs. Power outages were climbing Tuesday morning in the storm’s wake, with nearly 400,000 customers without power in Texas and another 25,000 knocked offline in Oklahoma, according to PowerOutage.us, which tracks outages nationwide.
In the 16,000-resident city of Ada, Oklahoma, where the apartment and nursing home roofs were torn away, the damage indicates there was likely a tornado that touched down early Tuesday morning as a line of powerful thunderstorms rumbled across the state, said Bruce Thoren, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Gusts up to 85 mph were recorded in the area, and there were no immediate reports of injuries.
In North Texas, strong thunderstorms with gusts over 70 mph damaged apartments, schools, and RVs on Tuesday. At the Las Haciendas Apartments in Irving, northwest of Dallas, strong winds blew out windows and the brick siding along the walls of one of the buildings. A nearby grocery store’s sign was damaged, and its parking lot was littered with tree limbs and power lines.
Impact on Daily Life
The storms knocked out power to several Irving schools, prompting some canceled classes and early releases. In Plano, north of Dallas, winds tore off parts of a high school’s metal roof. In Parker County, west of Fort Worth, firefighters responded after at least three RV trailers were overturned by strong winds.
The Central Plains and Midwest were bracing for blizzard conditions later Tuesday that forecasters warned could “make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening.” The Nebraska Department of Transportation said conditions could mean low visibility and whiteout conditions across the state and urged travelers to adjust their plans for Tuesday afternoon and into the night.
Region Braces for Severe Weather During Mardi Gras
New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick ordered parade-goers to not bring umbrellas, tents, or “anything that could fly in the wind and cause mayhem.” Just outside New Orleans in neighboring Jefferson Parish, officials canceled planned Mardi Gras Day parades due to anticipated high winds and thunderstorms.
Mardi Gras floats “could become unstable” and heavy winds could “blow down trees and power lines,” the National Weather Service warned, adding gusts of up to 60 mph were expected Tuesday afternoon. In Pointe Coupee Parish, near Louisiana’s capital city of Baton Rouge, the incoming weather forced drastic changes to one of the oldest Mardi Gras celebrations in the state.
The parade there was scheduled to roll without any bands, marching teams, or dance groups — a staple of Carnival Season parades. Officials also moved up the start time and urged residents to immediately remove all tents and trash afterward “due to the dangers they can present during weather.”
Nationwide Disruptions
Nationwide, nearly 400 flights scheduled to travel through the U.S. on Tuesday were canceled, according to FlightAware.com, which tracks delays and cancellations. Airports in Dallas had canceled the most flights among U.S. airports.
Despite the severe weather, some people were determined to make the most of the situation. Shalaska Jones and her 2-year-old daughter were waving at passing Mardi Gras floats Tuesday and hoping to catch one of the coveted coconuts thrown to the crowd. “We was coming out rain, sleet or snow,” Jones said.
Conclusion
The severe weather that hit the US caused widespread damage and disruption, affecting many aspects of daily life. The storms brought high winds, rain, and tornadoes, causing power outages, damaging buildings, and disrupting travel. While some people were forced to cancel their plans, others made the most of the situation and found ways to enjoy themselves despite the weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the extent of the damage caused by the storms?
A: The storms caused widespread damage, including torn roofs, damaged buildings, and power outages. Nearly 400,000 customers were without power in Texas, and another 25,000 were knocked offline in Oklahoma.
Q: Were there any injuries or fatalities reported?
A: There were no immediate reports of injuries in Ada, Oklahoma, where the apartment and nursing home roofs were torn away. However, the storms did cause damage and disruption in many areas, and it is possible that there may have been injuries or fatalities that were not immediately reported.
Q: How did the weather affect Mardi Gras celebrations?
A: The weather forced some changes to Mardi Gras celebrations, with the city of New Orleans moving up and shortening the celebration’s two biggest parades. Some parades were also canceled due to anticipated high winds and thunderstorms.
