Destructive storms swept across multiple states Tuesday, causing damage across the Ohio and Tennessee valleys, with various tornadoes impacting millions of people and a wider swath of the country, from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes. A severe weather warning was issued.
Strong wind gusts and heavy rain had already caused severe damage in some areas by mid-afternoon, leaving buildings destroyed as crews worked to remove downed power lines, trees and other debris. , the highway was forced to close.
Where did the storm hit the hardest?
Large portions of Ohio and Kentucky were grappling with the most serious risks, along with parts of far eastern Indiana. The Storm Prediction Center's latest severe weather outlook ranked the threat for some of these states at Level 4 out of 5 just before 12:00 PM CDT. Level 4 corresponds to “moderate” on that scale. Most of Kentucky and southern Ohio received that warning, including major cities such as Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Lexington and Louisville.
Tornado watches were also in effect for parts of Kentucky and middle Tennessee, including Nashville and surrounding areas. They dissipated by 3 p.m. CDT, but meteorologists warned that into the evening “strong, potentially long-lasting tornadoes are possible as they move south from Indiana and Ohio into the south-central region.”
Storm Prediction Center / National Weather Service
According to the Storm Prediction Center, “the threat of strong tornadoes could be concentrated in parts of Alabama and Georgia starting this evening.”
A tornado was confirmed just before midnight in Conyers, Georgia, just east of Atlanta, the National Weather Service said.
Separate tornado watches were in effect for parts of western Kentucky, southern Illinois, southwestern Indiana and southeastern Missouri until 6pm CDT Tuesday. A tornado watch is in effect for parts of Middle East Tennessee until 2 a.m. EDT.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency announced Tuesday night that it is aware of an “unconfirmed tornado that impacted the Sunbright community in Morgan County.” No injuries were immediately reported.
About 40,000 homes and businesses lost power Tuesday morning after lightning struck an electrical substation, according to the Associated Press. This peculiar substation affected two other substations and caused a power outage.
Overall, the forecast calls for severe thunderstorms throughout Tuesday across northeastern Mississippi, southeastern Illinois, and southwest Virginia, as well as parts of each of those states, with “several thunderstorms possible.” “Violent” tornadoes are one of the main dangers, along with damage and potential damage. There were hurricane-force winds, winds, and hail the size of baseballs in some places.
Winds are considered “hurricane strength” on the Saffir-Simpson scale when wind speeds reach 114 miles per hour or higher.
April 2: Severe storms, including strong tornadoes and winds that could cause widespread damage, are expected to develop across Ohio and parts of the Southeast today and tonight. For the latest forecast and monitoring information, visit https://t.co/QMmU4tCxt1. pic.twitter.com/gKj0hjUJDR
— NWS Storm Prediction Center (@NWSSPC) April 2, 2024
Roads in Charleston, West Virginia, were littered with bricks blocking traffic, and trees were scattered on roads, lawns and cars in some counties, according to the Associated Press. Gov. Jim Justice declared a state of emergency in Fayette, Canoe, Lincoln and Nicholas counties and urged residents to “exercise extreme caution.”
A state of emergency was also declared in Kentucky as the storm battered the region, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said in a statement obtained by The Associated Press. “There are reports of significant damage to a number of structures, and thankfully there are no fatalities at this time.”
What is the difference between a tornado warning and a tornado warning?
All thunderstorms can produce tornadoes, but atmospheric conditions must become unstable in a certain way for that to occur. Meteorologists issue a tornado watch when atmospheric conditions and severe weather events suggest that a tornado may form in an area, but this does not necessarily mean a tornado will form.
When a tornado warning is issued, it means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar and there is an immediate danger to life or property. In the event of a warning, the National Weather Service recommends that people who are outdoors or traveling seek shelter to protect themselves from flying debris, or indoors on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Recommended.
Image of storm damage caused by tornado
By noon Tuesday, strong storms had already uprooted trees in Kentucky. CBS affiliate WKYT shared video of some of the damage, with large branches, trunks and other debris flying across an intersection in a residential area of Lexington. In another nearby city, Nicholasville, authorities said they were investigating a “significant weather event” that affected an industrial area. Images shared on social media showed at least one structure partially torn apart after the incident.
“We responded to a significant weather event,” a Nicholasville Police Department spokesperson said in a statement to CBS News. “No injuries were reported.”
Meanwhile, a series of severe storms pounded parts of West Virginia throughout the day Tuesday, with video footage showing powerful wind gusts whipping up debris in the city of Charleston.national weather bureau Said Radar showed a tornado touched down in the Charleston area Tuesday morning. Meteorologists expected these storms to weaken somewhat as the system heads toward Virginia.
John Lavie/Associated Press
Severe storms continued to hit other parts of the country journey to the east. Earlier, a 46-year-old woman in Tulsa was swept away by floodwaters on Monday night when it hit Oklahoma. Tulsa Fire Department Public Information Officer Andy Little told CBS News that crews were still searching Tuesday morning.
Is the violent storm over now?
Looking ahead to the rest of the week, meteorologists said there was a “slight risk” that large swaths of the east coast and slightly inland could be hit by strong and severe storms on Wednesday. These storms could bring hail, damaging winds, and a tornado or two to locations within the danger zone from the Chesapeake Bay to Florida.
Eastern Massachusetts will see rain and sleet during the day Wednesday, with a chance of sleet and snow by night. High-elevation areas of central and western Massachusetts will experience wet snow.
Pittsburgh continues flood monitoring until Wednesday morning. Utility companies are bracing for strong winds, hail and strong winds that could damage electrical equipment and cause power outages.
maryland may see severe thunderstorms Severe lightning and heavy rain are possible through Wednesday. And hail.
