WASHINGTON — At least two people died, thousands of U.S. flights were canceled or delayed, and more than 1.1 million homes and businesses were without power Monday as severe storms, including hail and lightning, moved across the eastern United States.
The National Meteorological Directorate issued a Tornado watching for major capital city. area, and continues until 9 pm Special weather service statement “There is a significant threat of locally destructive and hurricane-force winds, along with the potential for large hail, tornadoes, and even powerful tornadoes,” he warned.
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 hurricane watch Monday afternoon.
In Anderson, South Carolina, a 15-year-old boy arriving at his grandfather's house during the storm was injured and killed when a tree fell on him as he got out of the car, according to the Anderson County Coroner's Office.
In Florence, Alabama, police said a 28-year-old man was struck by lightning and died. mentioned.
By Monday night, more than 2,600 U.S. flights had been canceled and nearly 7,900 delayed, according to flight tracking service FlightAware. Several flights were canceled at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which was recovering from turmoil caused by Sunday's storms.
The Federal Aviation Administration said it was rerouting planes around storms headed for the East Coast.
The White House postponed President Joe Biden's departure date by 90 minutes Four-day trip This takes him to Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. The White House also canceled a back-to-school cybersecurity event that was scheduled to feature First Lady Jill Biden, an educator, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and school administrators, teachers and education technology providers from around the country. .
The Office of Personnel Management announced Monday that all non-emergency employees will have to leave before 3 p.m., when all federal offices close.
“This appears to be one of the most impactful severe weather events in the mid-Atlantic region that we have seen in some time,” Chris Strong, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said in a Facebook Live news conference.
The storms prompted federal employees to return home early so that they would not be in their cars amid the wind, hail and tornadoes.
Residents are strongly advised: “Make yourself a strong shelter. Be at home or be at work.”
The storms postponed a Major League Baseball game between the Phillies and Washington Nationals in Philadelphia, and in Maryland, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning until Tuesday after 4 inches (10.2 cm) of rain fell in a short period of time.
By early evening, more than 1.1 million customers were without power across 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.us. The Knoxville Utility Board tweeted that damage to its service area in Tennessee was “extensive and widespread” and would likely take several days to repair.
Media reported that trees and power lines fell in multiple states, hitting roads and some homes.
A row of utility poles were toppled in Westminster, Maryland, WJLA-TV reported mentioned.
In Hockessin, Delaware, at least one home had its roof blown off, 6ABC-TV mentioned.
“We saw the clouds coming and heard a roaring sound in the distance,” said Tom Tomovic, whose house was damaged. “We went home and were on the first floor, and before we could blink, the wind blew right through the back of our house.”
___
Collins reported from Columbia, South Carolina. Associated Press writer Darlene Superville in Washington and AP Airlines writer David Koenig contributed to this report.
