Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

Winter storm warnings: Flash flooding continues as weekend threatens repeat storms

At least four deaths were attributed to Storm Finn, a major winter storm pummeling the US including Florida and New York

Martha McHardy,Katie Hawkinson
Thursday 11 January 2024 01:59 GMT
Comments
TX deploys emergency resources before storm

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

As the northeast braces for flooding rain and damaging winds through Wednesday, meteorologists forecast a second storm will blow through the eastern half of the US late this week.

The southeast should brace for a repeat of destructive winds and possible tornadoes, the National Weather Service (NWS) Storm Prediction Center said Wednesday. Meanwhile, the midwest can expect even more snow over the weekend, while rain will continue to beat down on the northeast, according to the NWS.

As for Wednesday, flooding rain and damaging winds will hit Boston, Massachusetts overnight, while New York City residents should remain braced for potential flooding throughout the day.

Meanwhile, the south is recovering from the destruction of a devastating storm earlier this week.

Four people have died and 890,000 homes were left without power after Storm Finn ripped through the Atlantic Coast, from Florida to New York. The deaths were reported in North Carolina, Georgia and Alabama.

Fourteen tornadoes were reported across Florida, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina on Tuesday, causing significant damage, blowing roofs off homes and prompting rescues in Florida’s panhandle, which was hit with 55 mph winds and hail.

Cancellations impacting flights to, from Seattle-Tacoma airport

Flight cancellations are hitting the Seattle-Tacoma airport hard today as extreme weather also impacts the Pacific Northwest.

83 flights arriving at or departing from the Seattle-Tacoma airport have been cancelled as of Monday morning, according to FlightAware. Currently, the Seattle region is under several warnings, including a high wind warning and winter weather warning, Fox13 Seattle reports.

Katie Hawkinson8 January 2024 17:00

49 states are under at least one type of weather alert: NWS

Almost every state is under a weather alert today, the National Weather Service reports.

As of Monday, the only state without any alerts is North Dakota.

With a “ferocious” winter storm blasting the midwest, Storm Finn putting the Gulf Coast on tornado watch and blizzards dropping several inches of snow on the northeast, extreme weather has hit nearly the entire country over the past several days.

Katie Hawkinson8 January 2024 17:18

US flight delays approach 2,500 as travel chaos continues

Extreme weather across the US has impacted travel since this weekend — and as the number of flight cancellations Monday morning approaches 2,500, that trend appears to be sticking around.

2,451 flights within, into, or out of the United States were delayed so far today, with cancelled flights approaching 500 as of Monday afternoon.

Meanwhile, travellers on Sunday say 7,682 delays within, into, or out of the United States. Saturday brought similar chaos, with nearly 8,000 delays.

Katie Hawkinson8 January 2024 17:37

Travel will be ‘extremely dangerous to impossible’ in midwest as storm hits: NWS

Thanks to a winter blizzard bringing a “ferocious” storm with whiteouts and high wind gusts, travel in the midwest region of the US will be “extremely dangerous to impossible,” the National Weather Service (NWS) warns.

Meteorologists advised those who must travel to bring a winter survival kit as wind chills are forecasted to bring subzero temperatures. Wind gusts are expected to reach 60-70 miles per hour, according to the NWS.

Travel will also become dangerous in the Gulf Coast region through Wednesday as Storm Finn brings flash flooding and heavy winds.

Katie Hawkinson8 January 2024 18:00

Young girl injured by severe weather in California over the weekend

A young girl in California was injured after a large tree was toppled by high winds and pinned her to the ground, NBC Los Angeles reports.

The incident occurred on Sunday at Melrose Trading Post, a popular flea market in Los Angeles. A bystander helped her escape and she was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. It’s unclear how severe her injuries are, according to NBC Los Angeles.

The tree toppled amid high winds in Southern California that blew through the region at up to 50 miles per hour, CBS News reports.

Katie Hawkinson8 January 2024 18:20

Thousands in California, Texas without power

More than 10,000 customers in both California and Texas are without power as of Monday afternoon, PowerOutage.us reports.

These outages come as California recovers from high winds of up to 50 miles per hour on Sunday and southeastern Texas braces for Storm Finn.

The entire Gulf Coast is currently under a high wind warning as meteorologists forecast possible tornadoes in the region overnight.

Katie Hawkinson8 January 2024 18:40

12 million people across northern Florida, Alabama and Carolinas under enhanced thunder storm warnings

More than 12 million people in north Florida, southeast Alabama, the Carolina Piedmont and the Carolina Coastal Plain are under enhanced thunderstorm warnings for Tuesday, the National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts.

These thunderstorms will also bring a risk for “very strong and damaging wind gusts and a few strong tornadoes,” as Storm Finn continues to wreak havoc into Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the (NWS).

Katie Hawkinson8 January 2024 19:00

Another massive winter storm predicted later this week

Yet another devastating winter storm is forecasted to hit the midwest US late this week, meteorologists say.

The storm will travel from Oklahoma City to Detroit on Friday through Saturday. The storm may classify as a “bomb cyclone,” The Washington Post reports, potentially setting low-pressure records.

The storm is forecasted to bring snow and wind, as well as a surge of warm air and rain along the northern Gulf Coast.

Katie Hawkinson8 January 2024 19:24

Residents of Texas, Louisiana bracing for nighttime tornadoes

Residents of the Gulf Coast should prepare for nighttime tornadoes to sweep through the region, the National Weather Service (NWS) warns.

In the New Orleans, Louisiana region in particular, tornadoes are most likely to strike 7pm through 3am local time, NWS meteorologist Megan Williams told The Independent.

Residents should take safety measures to protect themselves, including turning their phone volumes on to ensure they wake up for alerts and seeking sturdy shelter, Ms Williams said.

Katie Hawkinson8 January 2024 20:04

Houston, eastern Louisiana under tornado watch until 9 pm local time

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a tornado watch until 9 pm local time from Houston, Texas to Franklin, Louisiana.

The warning affects nearly 9 million people, 2,295 schools and 212 hospitals, according to the NWS.

Residents should sleep with their phone volumes on to ensure an emergency alert wakes them up, meteorologist Megan Williams told The Independent.

A tornado watch from Houston, Texas to Franklin, Louisiana is impacting nearly 9 million people
A tornado watch from Houston, Texas to Franklin, Louisiana is impacting nearly 9 million people (National Weather Service)
Katie Hawkinson8 January 2024 20:32

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in