2 Dead, Thousands Flight Cancelled, 1.1 Million Lost Power in Eastern US Storms

WASHINGTON (AP) — At least two people were killed, thousands of U.S. flights were canceled or delayed, and more than 1.1 million homes and businesses lost power Monday due to severe storms, including hail and lightning. , which hit the eastern US.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado alert for great dc. area, lasting until 9:00 p.m. A special statement of the Meteorological Service It warned: “There is a significant threat of damaging and locally destructive hurricane force winds, along with the potential for large hail and tornadoes, including strong tornadoes.”

The spread of the storms was massive, with tornado watches and warnings posted in 10 states, from Tennessee to New York. The National Weather Service said more than 29.5 million people were under a tornado watch Monday afternoon.

In Anderson, South Carolina, a 15-year-old boy who arrived at his grandparents’ house during the storm was struck and killed when a tree fell on him as he was getting out of a car, according to the Anderson County Coroner’s Office.

In Florence, Alabama, police say a 28-year-old man was struck by lightning and died, WAAY-TV reported.

By Monday night, more than 2,600 US flights had been canceled and nearly 7,900 delayed, according to the FlightAware flight tracking service. Many cancellations occurred at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which was recovering from disruptions caused by storms on Sunday.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it was rerouting planes around storms headed for the East Coast.

The White House brought forward the departure of President Joe Biden by 90 minutes in a four day trip that will take you to Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. The White House also canceled a back-to-school cybersecurity event featuring First Lady Jill Biden, who is a teacher, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and school administrators, educators, and information providers. educational technology across the country. .

The Office of Personnel Management announced Monday that all non-emergency employees will be required to leave by 3:00 pm, the time all federal offices close.

“This looks to be one of the most impactful severe weather events in the Mid-Atlantic that we’ve had in some time,” National Weather Service meteorologist Chris Strong said in a Facebook Live briefing.

The storms were expected to hit major population areas in the late afternoon and early evening, prompting federal workers to be sent home early so they would not be in their cars amid wind, hail and sleet. tornadoes

Strong advised residents: “Have a strong shelter. Being at home or being at work.

Storms postponed a Major League Baseball game between the Phillies and the Washington Nationals in Philadelphia, and in Maryland, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning through Tuesday after 4 inches (10.2 centimeters) of rain fell. in a short period of time.

As of early afternoon, more than 1.1 million customers were without power in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia and Virginia, all states. along the path of the storm system, according to poweroutage.es. The Knoxville Public Utilities Board tweeted that the damage in its Tennessee service area was “widespread and extensive” and will likely take several days to repair.

Trees and power lines were downed in several states, falling on roads and some houses, news outlets reported.

A row of utility poles collapsed in Westminster, Maryland, WJLA-TV reported.

In Hockessin, Delaware, at least one residence has had its roof torn off, 6ABC-TV reported.

“We saw the clouds coming and we could hear a rumble in the distance,” said Tom Tomovich, whose home was damaged. “We walked into the house and we were on the first floor, and before we could blink, the winds were blowing in from the back of our house.”

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Collins reported from Columbia, South Carolina. Associated Press writer Darlene Superville in Washington and AP Airlines writer David Koenig contributed to this report.