Hundreds Of Flights Stand Cancelled, Power Outages Reported In Eastern US

Storms have rushed across the Eastern United States leaving behind a trail of destruction. The storms, which brought torrential rainfall, strong winds, and widespread lightning, forced the cancellation of thousands of flights and left about a million houses without power.

As severe storms involving hail and lightning rolled over the eastern United States on Monday, at least two people were killed, flights were cancelled or delayed, and more than 1.1 million households and businesses lost electricity.

Storms Ravage Eastern U.S. - Flights Cancelled, One Million Homes Without Power

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The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for the greater Washington, D.C., area until 9 p.m. "There is a significant threat for damaging and locally destructive hurricane-force winds, as well as the potential for large hail and tornadoes, even strong tornadoes," said a particular Weather Service statement.

Tornado watches, and warnings were issued from Tennessee to New York as the storms moved across the country. On Monday afternoon, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for more than 29.5 million people.

According to the Anderson County Office of the Coroner, a 15-year-old kid who came to his grandparents' house during the storm was struck and killed when a tree fell on him as he exited a car.

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As per the report by WAAY-TV, a 28-year-old male was struck by lightning and died in Florence, Alabama.

According to flight tracking service FlightAware, more than 2,600 US flights had been cancelled, and almost 7,900 had been delayed as of Monday night. Many cancellations were reported at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which was still dealing with the effects of Sunday's storms.

The Federal Aviation Administration announced that planes would be rerouted to avoid storms approaching the East Coast.

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Biden's Trip Delayed

The White House has delayed President Joe Biden's departure on a four-day tour to Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah by 90 minutes. The White House also cancelled a back-to-school cybersecurity event with first lady Jill Biden, a teacher, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and school administrators, educators, and education technology providers nationwide.

The storms forced the postponement of a Major League Baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals in Philadelphia, and the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning in Maryland until Tuesday after 4 inches (10.2 centimetres) of rain fell in a short period.

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According to poweroutage.us, more than 1.1 million customers were without power by early evening across Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Virginia - all states in the storm system's path.

The Knoxville Utilities Board stated that the damage in Tennessee was "widespread and extensive" and would take several days to repair.

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News agencies reported that trees and electricity lines were toppled in numerous states, tumbling into roadways and some homes. According to WJLA-TV, a row of utility poles collapsed near Westminster, Maryland.

According to 6ABC-TV, at least one home in Hockessin, Delaware, had its roof ripped off. "We saw the clouds coming and could hear rumbling in the distance," said Tom Tomovich, whose house was destroyed.

"We went into the house, were on the first floor, and before we could blink an eye, the winds just came right through the back of our house."

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