Tornado, storm damage in Iowa: Coralville, Hills among hardest hit

At least eight tornadoes were spotted across Iowa Friday as large swaths of the southeastern portion of the state reported extensive damage to homes and buildings in a massive storm front that killed more than two-dozen people across the nation.

The National Weather Service has confirmed at least eight tornadoes based on preliminary data, including a low-end EF4 that tracked from Wapello into Johnson County; five EF2 tornadoes, one in Cedar county into Clinton County, one in Clinton County, two in Johnson county and one in Des Moines County; and two tornadoes in Jackson county, one EF1 tornado that began in Jackson County before moving to Illinois and another EF0 stayed in county lines.

The total number of tornadoes is expected to rise.

The EF scale uses wind estimates based on damage and calculates 3-second gusts estimated at the point of damage, according to the NWS. EF4 tornadoes bring gusts of 166 to 200 mph; EF3, 136 to 165; EF2, 111 to 135; and EF1, 86 to 110.

Coralville and Hills in Johnson County were among the towns that saw extensive damage, and part of Charlotte in Clinton County was evacuated because of a propane leak.

The Iowa storms were part of a powerful system of storms and tornadoes that tore through the South and Midwest starting Friday. By Sunday morning, the death toll nationally had risen to 26.

More:'Where are my kids going to stay?': Storm damage leaves some Coralville families homeless

NWS to have official tornado count Monday; at least 40 structures damaged in Corallville and Hills

National Weather Service officials in Davenport are still working on the official tornado count, a number that will most likely be available Monday morning, the NWS said. The latest tornadoes added are the two surveyed near the town of Solon. Survey teams have preliminarily rated those both as EF2, according to NWS Quad Cities.

David Wilson, director of Johnson County Homeland Security and Emergency, said 20 buildings and homes were damaged in Coralville, along with another 20 in Hills but believes the total will be north of 60 structures. Other numbers will be available later Sunday afternoon, he said. 118 calls were placed to 911 during the event.

EF4 tornado confirmed; it tracked from Wapello to Johnson County

Preliminary data has led to a low-end EF4 rating for a tornado that tracked from Wapello into Johnson County, with maximum estimated winds at about 170 mph and maximum width of 600 yards, according to the National Weather Service.

More:9 possible tornadoes tallied in eastern Iowa Friday from 'strong and unusual storm system'

EF1 tornado confirmed in Bellevue

Preliminary data shows an EF1 tornado crossed over Bellevue before heading over the Mississippi River, according to the National Weather Service.

EF2 tornado confirmed in Clinton County

The National Weather Service confirmed an EF2 tornado touched down in Clinton County, moving northeast from Grand Mound through Charlotte.

Gov. Kim Reynolds signs disaster proclamation for 12 counties

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a disaster relief proclamation on Saturday morning for 12 counties in eastern Iowa in the wake of the storm damage.

The proclamation intends to "ease restrictions on the transportation of materials related to disaster response and repairs," according to a press release. Those measures include temporarily suspending restrictions on hours of service for disaster relief crews and movement of loads on highways to help in disaster recovery.

The counties included in the proclamation are Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Des Moines, Dubuque, Grundy, Johnson, Keokuk, Linn, Mahaska, Wapello and Washington.

The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program is now also available for residents of those counties impacted by the disaster whose household annual income is at 200% or less than the federal poverty level. Households may receive up to $5,000 to assist in disaster recovery such as home or car repairs, food, clothing and other recovery expenses. Individuals have until May 16 to apply through the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services website.

Residents of the counties of any income bracket can also receive assistance through the Disaster Case Management Program. Care is organized through local community action associations.

The proclamation is in effect from April 1 to May 1.

More:How to claim tornado relief in Iowa if your house or property has been damaged

National Weather Service warns of more severe weather next week

The National Weather Service warned that another round of severe weather could hit central and eastern Iowa on Tuesday.

Southeastern Iowa is particularly at risk of tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail, the organization wrote on Twitter.

EF3 tornado confirmed near Keota

Preliminary data confirms an E3 tornado touched down near Keota on Friday, according to The National Weather Service.

Charlotte propane tank leak contained; one family rescued from fallen home in Clinton County

Officials quickly repaired a leak in a 10,000-gallon propane tank in northern Charlotte Friday night, which had required half of the town's residents to evacuate. Residents were able to return to their homes last night, according to Clinton County Emergency Management Coordinator Chance Kness.

Kness said several homes across the county were destroyed by the strong storms. He said eyewitness accounts confirmed at least one tornado touched down in the county, but his team is awaiting confirmation from the National Weather Service.

Emergency personnel rescued a family of three trapped in their collapsed home north of Grand Mound last night at 6 p.m., Kness said. One of the residents was transported to Genesis Medical Center in DeWitt for their injuries, he said.

Kness said emergency personnel worked efficiently to survey damage and respond to calls for service in the county, thanks in large part to early warnings ahead of the storm.

"Because of the extremely early warning about the severity of this event, we had staffed our Emergency Operations Center, notified responders," he said. "We're very fortunate in Clinton County to have excellent first response capabilities and great working relationships. I feel like everything went very smoothly."

EF3 tornado confirmed outside Hedrick

The National Weather Service out of the Quad Cities confirmed preliminary data shows an EF3 tornado touched down three to five miles away from Hedrick in Keokuk County.

Insulation, debris line grass on 23rd Street in Coralville

Dozens of community members, including Coralville Mayor Meghann Foster and Iowa City Community School District employees, lined 23rd Street in Coralville Saturday morning to help clear out debris.

“We have a lot of people that want to step up and help,” Foster said.

On Ninth Street, insulation littered the grass in front of people's homes. From afar, it looked almost like snow.

EF2 tornado confirmed in Johnson County

The National Weather Service based in the Quad Cities has confirmed one EF-2 tornado touched down in Johnson County Friday near Hills. Johnson County Emergency Management Coordinator Dave Wilson said there may have been up to three tornadoes that hit the county.

The tornadoes first were sighted in the southwest corner of the county, in Frytown, and made their way up through the west side of Hills, he said.

In Hills, "about a six-block-wide area between Highway 218 and the railroad tracks" sustained notable damage, he said. The area is made up of apartment buildings, a few individual residences and commercial storage sheds, he said.

From there, the storm moved to the west of Iowa City over the city's landfill and ended up in Coralville, where a portion of four blocks stretching from Highway 6 to Boston Way sustained damage, he said. The storm then "hopped up" to Solon, Wilson said, where it damaged a new subdivision under construction and took the roof off a local hardware store and Mexican restaurant. Wilson reported "scattered damage" throughout smaller towns and rural areas in the county.

Local power companies helped restore power to the majority of buildings, and the county was able to reopen all roadways by midnight Friday, Wilson said.

The county helped shelter 11 individuals following the storm: Eight stayed at the Red Cross-run shelter at the Coralville Recreation Center, and three stayed in an off-site location for "medical special needs," Wilson said. All three at the off-site location had departed as of 8:30 a.m.

Across the county, only two minor injuries were reported, he said, and there were no fatalities or reports of anyone trapped. Officials responded to 118 calls for service as of 8 a.m. Saturday morning, including 14 for public assistance, six for a gas line break, five for rescue and 24 for road hazards, according to data provided by Wilson.

Eight Johnson County residents spend night in shelter after storms destroyed homes

Eight Johnson County residents spent the night at the Coralville Recreation Center after a series of storms and potential tornadoes ripped through the region and destroyed their homes.

Mamie Kahulumbanda, her two daughters, son, husband and younger brother lost their home due to yesterday’s tornado. Her daughter, Precieuse, said they are “traumatized.”

“We have nothing besides our car,” she said.

Angla and Robert Manning spent the evening at a hotel last night after their home was destroyed. Angla would have been home when the tornado hit, but had to run an errand at Walmart and remained there during the storm. “It was a blessing that we weren’t home,” she said.

The Red Cross ran the shelter, which provided residents with blankets, teddy bears and hygiene bags including toothbrushes.

Coralville sets up emergency shelter for those displaced after the storm

The Coralville Recreation Center at 1506 Eighth Street will serve as an emergency shelter for those who are displaced by the storm, according to Mayor Meghann Foster.

Red Cross staff and volunteers will be there to assist residents at the shelter, she said.

"If anybody is interested or needs that help, they can call the Johnson County Emergency Dispatch, and they will get them connected to the right people," Foster said.

City of Charlotte evacuates half of the town from propane tank leak

In the wake of the storms, emergency service personnel discovered a leaking 10,000-gallon propane tank on the north side of Charlotte in Clinton County.

City Auditor and Public Information Officer Eric VanLancker said concerns over strong winds prompted the city to evacuate half of the town of just under 400 people.

Davenport Hazmat is assisting the city and other emergency officials with repairing the leak, which VanLancker said the city hoped would be completed by Friday night.

Those who could not shelter with other family and friends were evacuated to the Lutheran Church on the south side of the town, VanLancker said.

Coralville Mayor said minor injuries reported, no fatalities

Coralville Mayor Foster said minor injuries have been reported so far after an apparent tornado tore through the city and left considerable damage in its wake.

"As of right now, we're not hearing of any fatalities, which is something we are very grateful for and hopefully, that continues to be the trend that we are seeing," she said.

She said first responders are out helping to clear debris and ensure residents are safe and accounted for. Gas lines in certain parts of the city have been turned off as a precaution while the damage is assessed, she said.

A vehicle with a light tower is being placed near the Subway on Highway 6.

"We've got quite a bit of damage in the community right now," she said. "And it's really important that we're letting the first responders clear away that debris and get everything settled."

She said the city is working on setting up a shelter for those whose homes have been severely damaged or lost due to the tornado. More information on the shelter will be released as it becomes available, she said.

Hundreds help neighbors with damage in Hills

Hundreds of residents of Hills came out to help each other after an apparent tornado barreled through the town, ripping off roofs and leaving a trail of debris in its path.

Insulation covered nearly two city blocks on the northwest side of Hills from Casey's to the edge of town, with other buildings damaged along the way.

Buildings flattened, roads blocked by fallen trees in Coralville

Families and neighbors gathered along a row of houses on 23rd Street in Coralville Friday afternoon to assess the damage from a tornado that rolled through the region.

Downed trees and power lines riddled streets and driveways next to homes which sustained major damage.

Just past the street, downed trees were blocking Highway 6. An apartment building off Boston Way was flattened next to a semi-truck flipped onto its back.

The branches of trees left standing were riddled with debris from nearby buildings and homes.

Coralville resident Gordon Knight said he watched from the window of his basement apartment as the building's siding started flying away amid the gusting winds and heavy rainfall. Within minutes, he saw the roof of a neighboring building torn off. In the parking lot, a tree fell onto one of the resident's cars.

"I've lived in Iowa about 50 years and that's the closest I ever came to a tornado," he said.

While the exterior of his apartment building sustained notable damage, he said all of the residents inside were safe and didn't suffer any injuries.

Des Moines clear of severe weather, but gusty winds still expected

As of 7 p.m., there were no more severe storms forecasted for Des Moines and central Iowa Friday evening. However, the National Weather Service warned residents should still expect "strong gusty winds" while those up north are likely to experience snow.

Tornado warning issued in De Witt, Preston and Charlotte

A tornado warning is in effect following an observed tornado in the regions of De Witt, Preston and Charlotte. The warning is in effect until 6:45 p.m. and there is no hail expected.

Tornado warning issued for Wyoming, Oxford Junction and Lost Nation

A tornado was seen in the region of Wyoming, Oxford and Lost Nation. A warning is in effect in the area until 6:30 p.m., during which the region may experience up to golf-ball-sized hail.

Tornado warning issued for Lowden, Wheatland and Delmar

An observed tornado triggered a tornado warning in the areas around Lowden, Wheatland and Delmar. The warning is in effect until 6:15 p.m. No hail is expected in the area.

Tornado warning issued for Manchester, Earlville and Delhi

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for the regions around Manchester, Earlville and Delhi until 6:15 p.m. The region could experience quarter-sized hail.

Tornado warning issued for Tipton, Mechanicsville and Clarence

A tornado warning is in effect for the regions around Tipton, Mechanicsville and Clarence until 5:45 p.m. Golf-ball-sized hail is possible in the region. As of 5:30 p.m., the threat was raised from an observed tornado to a "damaging tornado."

A further warning was issued for Clarence, Olin and Stanwood until 5:45 p.m. also described as a "damaging tornado."

Tornado warning issued for Wilton, Durant and Bennett

A tornado warning is in effect for Wilton, Durant and Bennett until 6 p.m. Pea-sized hail is possible.

Tornado warning issued for Anamosa, Mount Vernon and Lisbon

A tornado warning is in effect in Anamosa, Mount Vernon and Lisbon until 5:45 p.m. The region could see up to golf ball-sized hail.

As of 5:40 p.m., the warning was extended to 6:15 p.m. to include the regions around Anamosa, Dyersville and Monticello.

Tornado warning issued for West Liberty, West Branch, Rochester

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for the region of West Liberty, West Branch and Rochester, just outside of Iowa City. The warning is in effect until 5:30 p.m. and the region could see ping-pong-sized hail.

Tornado warning issued for Fairfield, Mount Pleasant and Wayland

A tornado warning in Fairfield, Mount Pleasant and Wayland is in effect until 5:30 p.m. Ping-pong-sized hail is possible.

Tornado warning issued for Vinton, Center Point and Urbana

A tornado warning is in effect in Vinton, Center Point and Urbana until 5:30 p.m. Quarter-sized hail is possible.

Tornado warning issued for Waterloo and surrounding areas

A tornado warning is in effect in Waterloo, Cedar Falls and Grundy Center until 5:15 p.m. Pea-sized hail is possible in the region.

Tornado warning issued for Washington, Kalona and Riverside

A tornado warning for Washington, Kalona and Riverside is in effect until 5 p.m. The region could experience ping-pong-sized hail as storms move through.

Tornado warning issued for Coralville and surrounding areas

The National Weather Service declared a tornado warning for Coralville, North Liberty and Mount Vernon until 5:15 p.m. Baseball-sized hail is possible in the region.

Tornado warning issued for Marshalltown and surrounding areas

A tornado warning is in effect for Marshalltown, Reinbeck, and Gladbrook.

The warning is in effect until 5:15 p.m. and those in the area could see up to pea-sized hail.

Tornado warning issued for Waverly, Parkersburg and Ackley

A tornado warning is in effect for Waverly, Parkersburg and Ackley, located just east of Iowa Falls.

The warning is in effect until 5:15 p.m. and those in the area could see up to pea-sized hail.

Central Iowa no longer under severe weather threat as storms head east

Central Iowa is no longer considered to be under threat of severe weather as storms with large hail and tornadoes continue to rock parts of eastern Iowa.

The National Weather Service said storms and gusty winds may continue in central Iowa. Eastern Iowa continues to be impacted by severe weather.

Tornado warning issued in Benton County

A tornado warning was in effect in Vinton, Garrison and Mount Auburn, all located in Benton County. The warning is radar-indicated and the region may see up to pea-sized hail.

The warning expired at 4:45 p.m.

Tornado warning issued in parts of Iowa, Washington Counties

A tornado warning has been issued for Williamsburg, Wellman and North English located in Iowa and Washington Counties. Baseball-sized hail is possible. The warning expired at 4:45 p.m.

Tornado confirmed near Jefferson, Keokuk Counties

A large and dangerous tornado is on the ground in Keokuk County, according to the National Weather Service.

The tornado touched down near Packwood in Jefferson County and is headed toward Hedrick and Martinsburg in Keokuk County.

All those in the area should take cover now.

Tornado warning issued for Tama, Toledo and Chelsea

A radar-indicated tornado warning has been issued for Tama, Toledo and Chelsea, located in between Des Moines and Cedar Rapids. Pea sized hail is possible as a storm rolls through the region.

The warning expired at 4:45 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning has also been issued for the region, including Grinnell.

Tornado spotted Montezuma

A tornado has been spotted near Malcom and Montezuma, according to the National Weather Service.

The warning for this area was allowed to expire as storms move east.

Tornado confirmed near Ottumwa

The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado touched down just northeast of Ottumwa.

The tornado warning for this area has expired, but it remains under a severe thunderstorm warning.

Anyone in the area should take cover now.

Large hail reported across the state

Storms moving across Iowa dropped large hail. The National Weather Service reported a cell moving through Story County around 3 p.m. produced hail as large as 2 inches in diameter.

What should you do during a tornado warning?

The weather service says it's always important to have an emergency plan in place in the event of severe weather, including designating a "safe place" in your home, preferably away from windows and in an interior room. Keeping supplies handy like flashlights, batteries, food, water, clothes and shoes is also recommended.

More tornado safety tips:What to do when a watch or warning is issued depends on where you are

Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Des Moines metro

Multiple severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued for metro counties as storms approach Des Moines.

A warning until 3:45 p.m. covers Huxley, Ames, Nevada and to the north and east. Winds of up to 60 mph and 2 inch sized hail are possible.

Other warnings for the Des Moines area have been allowed to expire.

Click here for a map and full list of warnings across the state.

What is the severe weather forecast for Iowa today? Is there a tornado watch too?

The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for parts of central and eastern Iowa, including Des Moines, Ames and Iowa City. The watch encompasses an area with a population of over 5 million people and will remain in place until 8 p.m. Friday evening.

A tornado watch means conditions are right for a tornado to form. Iowans should pay attention to conditions and be prepared to seek shelter.

The National Weather Service's warning states that "this is a particularly dangerous situation." Meteorologist Jeff Zogg said the National Weather Service does not typically issue that type of warning unless the situation "pose[s] a significant danger to the public."

"We're looking at the potential for severe weather this afternoon. Tornadoes, large hail, damaging winds. Any storms that do develop will move fairly rapidly. And there is the potential for violent long-track tornadoes too. So that's one of the reasons we put that kind of wording in there," he said.

Zogg recommended Iowans pay close attention to weather updates, such as through visiting https://www.weather.gov/dmx/, and to have a plan in place if severe weather hits their locations.

"Just be aware that any storms that do develop will intensify pretty rapidly and move fast as well," he said, adding Iowans should "know where you can go for safety if threatening weather does approach your location."

What's the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning?

Tornado watches are alerts to stay prepared and be ready to act, according to the NWS. They mean that tornadoes are possible and weather conditions "favor thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes."

More details:What is a tornado watch? Tornado warning? Here's a look at the differences

A warning means imminent danger, according to the NWS. A tornado warning is issued when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar and you should seek shelter immediately.

Blizzard and winter storm warnings issued for northern Iowa

The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning in far northwest Iowa near the city of Estherville in Emmet County which will be in effect from 11 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday.

The combination of rain, strong winds and colder air arriving tonight "will produce blizzard to near blizzard conditions" with the potential to impact travel conditions, according to NWS. The region could see between two and four inches of snow and wind gusts up to 50 mph.

NWS issued a winter storm warning during the same time period for the surrounding counties, including Kossuth, Winnebago, Worth, Palo Alto, and Hancock.

In central Iowa, rain and snow could mix overnight with light snow possible through 7 a.m. Saturday. Less than a half an inch of snow is expected. Mixed rain and snowfall are possible through 7 a.m. Saturday near Iowa City.

At least 5 tornadoes confirmed in Texas as storms roll through ...

CNN —

At least five tornadoes were confirmed in Texas during a storm outbreak Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service in Fort Worth.

Three of the tornadoes were in Tarrant County, with the strongest having an EF-1 rating. One damage track was seen in the city of Grapevine, near the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

The weather service said there was also an EF-2 tornado with 125 mph winds in Wise County, as well a tornado just west of the city of Paris. Damage surveys will be conducted in those communities Wednesday. Based on radar and damage reports, the National Weather Service said there could have been as many as 12 tornadoes in Texas Tuesday that they have not yet confirmed.

The storms have carved a path of destruction across Oklahoma and the Dallas-Fort Worth area Tuesday and injured at least seven people. They’re part of a larger storm system that threatens more damage in the South and blizzard conditions in states farther north.

The giant winter storm system is pushing through the central US after walloping the West. And about 10 million people – largely in the north-central US – are under winter-weather warnings or advisories Tuesday, with blowing snow and power outages a key concern.

A “one-in-five-year storm” worked its way through parts of Nebraska Tuesday and is expected to linger in the area through the end of the week, according to the NWS metrologist Bill Taylor. Blizzard warnings are in place throughout parts of the state and the state’s Department of Transportation said several roadways are closed, including all roadways from Nebraska into Colorado.

“If your destination is west, please delay those plans and adjust accordingly!” the department tweeted.

More than 18 million people from Texas to Mississippi are under threat of severe storms Tuesday, including tornadoes.

In Caddo Parish, Louisiana, which includes Shreveport, authorities are performing a search and rescue operation after a strong storm moved through Tuesday afternoon. The storms resulted in one woman being sent to the hospital and two people are currently missing, the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office said on their Facebook page.

“Several structures were damaged. Electrical lines and trees were also knocked down,” the sheriff’s office said. “Caddo deputies, K-9 teams, fireman, and volunteers are searching through debris and the area for the missing people. Caddo deputies continue to check the welfare of citizens from house to house.”

Authorities are “in search and rescue operations of a subdivision that contains approximately 40 homes,” Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office Homeland Security Deputy Director Robert Jump tells CNN.

In a Facebook post Tuesday evening, the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office asked anyone concerned with missing people to contact their dispatch.

Belinda Penner carries belongings from her cousin's home that was destroyed by a tornado on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, in Wayne, Oklahoma. Sue Ogrocki/AP

A tornado watch is in effect for northeast Louisiana, southwest Arkansas and western Mississippi until 2 a.m. CST, according to the Storm Prediction Center. This watch covers more than 1.5 million people and includes Shreveport and Alexandria, Louisiana.

“A few tornadoes and a couple intense tornadoes [are] possible,” the Storm Prediction Center said. Additionally, damaging winds up to 70 mph are also possible.

Damage on Tuesday includes:

• Grapevine, Texas: At least one tornado was reported in this city just outside Dallas Tuesday morning, the National Weather Service said, and storms left at least five people there injured, Grapevine police said. Details about the injuries weren’t immediately available.

Businesses including a Grapevine mall, a Sam’s Club and a Walmart were damaged, police said. A gas station was destroyed, and drivers on one road were forced to share a single lane because downed trees and other debris blocked parts of the thoroughfare, motorist Claudio Ropain David told CNN.

A storm damaged Bertha Gonzalez's home on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, near Decatur, Texas. Rebecca Slezak/The Dallas Morning News/AP

• Elsewhere outside Dallas: At least two people were injured, and homes and businesses were damaged, as severe weather hit east of Paradise and south of Decatur in Wise County on Tuesday morning, northwest of Fort Worth, county officials said.

One person was hurt when wind overturned their vehicle, and the other – also in a vehicle – was hurt by flying debris, the Wise County emergency management office said. One was taken to a hospital, the office said without elaborating.

A damaged home is seen Tuesday morning in Parker, Texas, outside Dallas. KTVT

High winds also damaged homes and trees near Callisburg north of Dallas, blew over tractor-trailers near the towns of Millsap and Weatherford; and damaged barns near the town of Jacksboro, the National Weather Service said.

• Wayne, Oklahoma: A confirmed EF2 tornado in that town knocked out power and damaged homes, outbuildings and barns early Tuesday, officials said, adding no injuries were reported. Homes were flattened or had roofs torn off, and trees were snapped like twigs, video from CNN affiliate KOCO showed.

The storm that rocked Wayne was on the ground for at least 3 miles with 120-125 mph winds, the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma, said.

More severe storms capable of tornadoes, as well as hail and damaging winds are expected Tuesday and Wednesday in the Gulf Coast region as the complex snow-or-rain system sweeps through the central US from north to south.

A home sits in shambles Tuesday in Wayne, Oklahoma, after a tornado reportedly struck. KOCO

Blizzard and ice warnings in the north-central US

Across the central and northern Plains and Upper Midwest, heavy, blowing snow and/or freezing rain into Thursday could snarl travel and threaten power outages.

Blizzard warnings – forecasting at least three hours of sustained winds or frequent gusts at 35 mph or greater during considerable snowfall and poor visibility – extended Tuesday from parts of Montana and Wyoming into northeastern Colorado, western Nebraska and South Dakota.

Blizzard conditions were being reported in the morning and early afternoon near the Colorado-Kansas state line. Visibility along Interstate 70 in that area was down to 100 feet, a Kansas Highway Patrol spokesman said on Twitter.

Snowfall through Wednesday morning generally could be 10 to 18 inches in the central and northern Plains and Upper Midwest. Some areas inside the blizzard warning zones – particularly western South Dakota, eastern Wyoming and northwestern Nebraska – could get as many as 24 inches of snow, with winds strong enough to knock down tree limbs and cause power outages, the Weather Prediction Center said.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem announced Tuesday that all state government executive branch offices statewide will be closed Tuesday due to the winter storm.

Most state offices in South Dakota will be closed again Wednesday and state workers who are normally in the offices affected will be working remotely, the governor’s office said.

State offices will be reopening Wednesday in 11 southeast counties that have less severe travel conditions.

“Officials continue to closely monitor the storm which features heavy snow, freezing rain, and high winds,” the governor’s office said. “A decision on state government office availability for Thursday will be made Wednesday.”

Parts of Wyoming have reported snow accumulations between 1 and 2 feet, according to the National Weather Service. The state’s Department of Transportation on Tuesday said wintry weather is impacting roadways throughout the entire state.

“Not a single green stretch of road in the state,” the department said in a Facebook post. “Strong winds, blowing snow, whiteout conditions and slick spots are impacting routes statewide (and in some neighboring states!)”

The Wyoming Highway Patrol also advised motorists to be aware of road conditions, as “many roads across Wyoming are currently closed due to crashes and winter conditions.”

In Sidney, Nebraska, winds whipped Tuesday morning at 53 mph, CNN meteorologist Chad Myers said, “and then you add in the snow, visibility is a quarter mile.”

Interstates in South Dakota could become impassable amid the blizzard conditions, resulting in roadway closures across the state, the South Dakota Department of Transportation warned Monday.

Ice storm warnings were issued for parts of eastern South Dakota. Up to two-tenths of an inch of ice could accumulate in some of these areas, forecasters said.

Wintry precipitation “will begin to spread eastward over the Upper Great Lakes late Tuesday and Wednesday and into the Northeast late Wednesday as the storm system continues eastward,” the prediction center said.

Freezing rain and sleet, meanwhile, will be possible through Wednesday in the Upper Midwest.

More tornadoes are a threat on the storm’s southern end

Meanwhile, the southern end of the storm threatens to bring more tornadoes.

An alert for enhanced risk of severe weather – level 3 of 5 – was issued Tuesday for eastern Texas and the lower Mississippi River Valley, with the main threats including powerful tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail. Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Lafayette, Louisiana, are part of the threatened area, as is Jackson, Mississippi.

“My main concern with the tornadoes is going to be after dark,” Myers said Tuesday. “We have very short days this time of year, so 5 or 6 o’clock, it’s going to be dark out there. Spotters aren’t as accurate when it is dark. Tornado warnings are a little bit slow; if you’re sleeping, you may not get them. So, that’s the real danger with this storm.”

"Everything was calm, and then I just saw a huge wall cloud," said Darrell Barton of the storm effect he spotted early Tuesday around Decatur, Texas. "The rain and lightning was insane." Darrell Barton/B-Safe shelters

A zone of slight risk – level 2 of 5 – encircled that area, stretching from eastern Texas and southern Oklahoma to southern Arkansas and much of the rest of Louisiana, including New Orleans, and central Mississippi.

Tuesday also brings a slight risk of excessive rainfall in parts of Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, with 2 to 4 inches of rain and flash flooding possible, the Weather Prediction Center said.

On Wednesday, the threat for severe weather is largely focused on the Gulf Coast, with tornadoes and damaging winds possible over parts of southern Louisiana, Mississippi, southwest Alabama and the western Florida Panhandle, the Storm Prediction Center said.

In Mississippi, the Meridian Public School District – which serves over 4,900 students – announced they will be closed Wednesday due to the threat of severe weather. Meridian is about 86 miles east of Jackson.

“All schools, offices, and departments in the Meridian Public School District will be closed on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, due to the threat of 70 mph winds and possible tornadoes throughout the day on Wednesday, December 14, 2022. All extracurricular activities and practices are also canceled for December 14, 2022,” the school district said in a message on Facebook.

The Lawrence County and McComb School Districts also announced they were closing Wednesday due to the threat of severe weather.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency also noted the severe weather expected in the state and asked residents to prepare.

“With severe weather expected throughout Mississippi tonight and tomorrow, please review your severe weather preparedness checklist to make sure you are ready for the storms,” the agency said in a message on Twitter.

Amir Vera Jason Hanna Monica Garrett
Amir Vera
Jason Hanna
Monica Garrett

Polar air and a powerful winter storm put millions under winter alerts ...

CNN —

For millions of Americans across a large swath of the country, the holiday week is beginning with unrelenting below-freezing temperatures made even more miserable by heavy snow expected Tuesday and Wednesday in several central and northwestern states.

A developing ‘bomb cyclone’ has prompted alerts from Washington state to Maryland that cover over 50 million people, according to the National Weather Service, and that number is expected to grow over the coming days.

A ‘bomb cyclone’ is a term used by meteorologists to describe a rapidly strengthening storm. Specifically, it means a drop of 24 millibars (a term used to measure atmospheric pressure), in 24 hours. These storms frequently occur with winter nor’easters, but in this case, the bomb cyclone is expected to occur in the Plains. That’s because of the extreme temperature difference between the warm and moist air in advance of the storm and the extreme Arctic air mass moving in from Canada.

This weather phenomenon is expected to be the pressure equivalent of a category 2 hurricane as it reaches the Great Lakes, with the weather service now calling the strength of the low a “once-in-a-generation” event.

More than 40 million people are under wind chill alerts across much of the central and northwestern US, including in places slammed with blizzard conditions by a separate storm system last week. Parts of Alabama and Tennessee are also under a wind chill watch as the “feel like” temperatures are expected to plummet below zero.

On Tuesday, the sprawling weather system is delivering dangerously cold temperatures and snow to Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and most of Minnesota, where high temperatures will remain below zero, according to forecasters at the NWS.

The air feels so cold, frostbite on exposed skin can occur in under 10 minutes in most of the impacted areas, and some isolated locations in under five minutes, forecasters warn.

“In addition to the brutally cold temperatures, dangerous wind chill values of 35 to 55 degrees below zero are possible into the end of the week across these areas,” the Weather Prediction Center said Monday.

Wind chill advisories are in place for Sioux, South Dakota, and Fargo, North Dakota, Tuesday, when the dangers of frostbite are settling in. Wind chill, which indicates what the wind feels like, will be as low as 40 degrees below zero, and in Wyoming on Wednesday night could hit a staggering 70 degrees below zero.

“Starting tonight, the worst of the arctic air mass will reach our area, bringing dangerous temperatures and wind chills. Slippery roads will continue with additional accumulating snow expected Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning,” the weather service office in Glasgow, Montana, said Monday evening.

Drastic temperature drops are coming. In Denver, for example, the temperature will be 50 degrees at noon on Wednesday but is expected to drop to 12 below by daybreak on Thursday. Similarly, New Yorkers will enjoy 60-degree weather on Friday in Manhattan and then see a temperature of 24 degrees as a high on Christmas Eve.

Snowfall has already begun in Seattle, which is under a winter storm warning Tuesday. The storm will move east into portions of Idaho Tuesday morning and then spread out across northern and central Montana later in the afternoon.

As the storm moves east this week, it stands to make holiday travel difficult, if not dangerous, in many places, with forecasters urging people to be prepared to make changes.

In Minnesota, the weather service in the Twin Cities implored residents to be cautious of the “potentially dangerous week of weather,” with the worst of the effects in the Midwest beginning Wednesday.

“The bottom line is travel will be very dangerous and could be LIFE-THREATENING later this week so be prepared to alter travel plans now!” the local weather service office said.

Many local governments in the affected areas have opened warming centers in an attempt to provide relief to those who need it.

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was hit last week by a massive winter storm. The city is again under winter weather alerts Tuesday. Erin Woodiel/Argus Leader/USA Today

What’s ahead Christmas week

Overall, most of the US is expected to see abnormally cold temperatures this week. In fact, more than 80% of the country, excluding Hawaii and Alaska, are forecast to see below-freezing temperatures.

In Montana, Helena and Missoula are under winter storm warnings beginning Tuesday, and Billings is under a wind chill advisory through noon Friday.

The storm is also expected to intensify as it approaches the Midwest, where the greatest impacts are forecast. Snow will begin in the region Wednesday and last through much of the Christmas weekend.

In parts of central Minnesota, several inches of fluffy snow are expected Wednesday, followed by high winds, creating the potential for blizzard conditions. A blizzard is defined as having winds of at least 35 mph along with falling or blowing snow which reduces visibility to a quarter-mile or less, for at least three hours.

“By Thursday, wind gusts of 40-50 mph appear likely. With the fluffy snow in place, blizzard conditions are highly likely area wide, even in areas that typically aren’t favored for whiteout conditions,” the weather service said.

Kristin Jagodzinske sweeps the snow off the sidewalk in front of her shop in snowy downtown Poulsbo on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. Meegan M. Reid/Kitsap Sun/USA Today Network

Chicago is forecast to be one of the hardest hit cities, where a winter storm watch is in effect starting Thursday night through Friday evening. With blizzard conditions likely, holiday travel could grind to a halt for many seeking to celebrate with family and loved ones.

The city could pick up 6 to 8 inches of snow from Thursday morning through late Friday night and when combined with 55 mph winds, the weather will bring travel to a stand still. The blizzard conditions could close O’Hare airport during the peak of the storm and will likely cause the cancellations of hundreds of flights in Chicago alone.

“Rapidly deteriorating conditions by late Thursday afternoon, with dangerous blizzard conditions appearing increasingly likely Thursday night into Friday,” said the weather service office in Chicago, home not only to one of the nation’s busiest airports but also long-distance train depots.

South bracing for unseasonably cold temps

Meanwhile, even southern cities unaccustomed to wintry conditions will get a brittle taste of it this holiday season, with Austin, Houston, Atlanta, and even Orlando at risk of seeing temperatures below freezing beginning midweek.

In Texas, the weather service made it a point to reassure residents this week’s unusually cold temperatures are not expected to affect the state as severely as last year’s brutal winter storms, when millions of people lost power during a weeklong extreme weather event in February 2021.

However, water pipes will be at risk of bursting, the weather service said. A wind chill watch for Amarillo, Texas, is in effect from Wednesday night through Friday afternoon.

“Outdoor pipes will be at risk due to well below freezing temps and windy conditions late this week,” the weather service in Fort Worth said. “Make sure to cover pipes and let faucets drip!”

Mississippi is urging residents to start bracing for what could be an extremely cold couple of days, the state’s emergency management agency said in a Facebook post Tuesday morning.

“Dangerous, cold temperatures are expected this week for most of the state. Start prepping NOW,” the post said. “Wrap pipes and keep a preparedness kit in your car with extra blankets. Remember the Four P’s of Winter Weather Preparedness. People, Pets, Pipes, and Plants!”

Much of the state is under a hard freeze watch, according to the weather service. Subfreezing temperatures are expected.

“A prolonged period of subfreezing temperatures may cause pipes to burst. Bitterly cold temperatures and wind chills will result in hypothermia and become life-threatening to those with prolonged exposure or without access to adequate warmth,” the weather service said.

In a post Monday, state emergency management officials reminded residents to seal windows and doors, insulate pipes and test smoke alarms.

Indianapolis weather: Severe storms possible March 31, April 1, 2023

A line of severe thunderstorms made its way across Central Indiana late Friday and early Saturday morning, bringing strong winds, rain and tornado warnings.

Follow along here for the latest information.

Gov. Eric Holcomb declares disaster emergency in several Indiana counties

Gov. Eric Holcomb declared a disaster emergency in several Indiana counties after severe storms and tornados rolled across the Hoosier state March 31 into the next day. The counties included in the disaster emergency are Benton, Monroe, Owen, Morgan and White.

Holcomb issued the disaster emergency Tuesday. He previously issued a disaster emergency in Johnson and Sullivan counties due to impacts from the the severe weather.

Those in need of government services will be able to stop in at sites in Whiteland and Sullivan from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The sites will be at Sullivan City Hall and the Clark Pleasant School District Administration Building. State agencies offering assistance will include:

Bureau of Motor Vehicles

Department of Insurance

Department of Workforce Development

Family and Social Services Administration

Housing and Community Development Authority

Department of Health

Department of Homeland Security

Scattered power outages as worst of storm clears Indianapolis

12:19 a.m.: The Marion County Emergency Management Service declares that the severe weather threat has passed for Indianapolis. The city and AES are working on downed trees and power lines as the utility reports 5,165 customers without power across Marion County.

11:54 p.m.: Gusts of 41 mph and light rain are reported at Indianapolis International Airport, down from gusts of 45 mph at 10:54 p.m. The temperature is 57 degrees, down from 68 an hour earlier.

Severe thunderstorm warning for Indy, Carmel, Fishers

11:26 p.m.: Sirens sound across Indianapolis as winds pick up. The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning until midnight for an area that includes Indianapolis, Carmel and Fishers. The warning will continue until 12:30 for Muncie, Anderson and Yorktown.

The severe thunderstorm warning expires at 11:45 for Avon and Plainfield, on the western side of the metro area.

"This storm will contain wind gusts to 70 MPH!" the agency tweeted.

Check the most recent weather alerts around the country here.

Tornado warning issued for Franklin, Shelbyville

11:26 p.m.: There's a tornado warning for Franklin, Shelbyville and New Whiteland until midnight.

Tornado warning issued for Morgan County

11:20 p.m.: The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning until 11:30 for an area south of Indianapolis including Martinsville and Morgantown.

"Strong rotation with debris signature located just north of Stinesville at 1105 PM EDT," the NWS's Indianapolis office tweeted.

Tornado indications at Indiana-Illinois border

10:20 p.m.: The National Weather Service urges residents of Sullivan County, which is south of Terre Haute on the Indiana-Illinois state line, to take shelter due to "strong indications" of a tornado just west of the county.

Latest line of rain and thunderstorms hits western Central Indiana

9:50 p.m.: "Areas of showers and thunderstorms are moving across western Central Indiana at this time," the National Weather Service in Indianapolis posted. "This line will progress across the area over the next few hours."

Tornado watch issued for parts of Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Michigan

8:01 p.m.: A tornado watch is in effect for Indianapolis and much of Indiana until 3 a.m., according to the National Weather Service in Indianapolis. The watch stretches from South Bend to Evansville, with only eastern Indiana and the northwestern corner not included.

A tornado watch – which means weather conditions are ripe for tornadoes to form – was also issued for parts of Illinois, Kentucky and Michigan.

Marion County Emergency Management: 'Have a place in your home to shelter.'

7:25 p.m.: Marion County Emergency Management officials are urging Hoosiers in Central Indiana to stay mindful of the weather.

"Some weaker storms are making their way out of Marion County, however the next round is approaching from Illinois," the organization tweeted Friday night. "Multiple tornados in several states to our west and south west. Have a place identified in your home to shelter, a basement or interior room with no windows."

Severe storms from Illinois creeping into Indiana

6:35 p.m.: A line of severe storms is making its way from western Illinois into western Central Indiana and are expected to arrive by around 9 p.m. Friday, according to a Tweet by NWS Indianapolis. Meteorologists say showers, thunderstorms, strong winds, hail, and possible tornadoes are possible.

Rain and thunderstorms enter the Indianapolis area

4:25 p.m.: Rain and thunderstorms have entered the area, according to a tweet by NWS Indianapolis, which said residents can expect an increase in sustained wind speeds and gusts as the evening progresses.

Federal forecasters issue first high-risk severe weather alert in 2 years

2:45 p.m.: Federal forecasters have issued their first high-risk severe weather alert in two years.

An outbreak of violent thunderstorms is forecast to impact more than a dozen states on Friday, with several tornadoes a near certainty.

About 89 million people in at least 15 states – from Texas to Alabama in the South all the way up north to Wisconsin and Michigan – are at risk from the "explosive" storms.

On Friday, two rare high-risk zones for severe weather were issued by the Storm Prediction Center, one centered near Memphis and the other on the border between Iowa and Illinois. It's the first time in more than two years the SPC has issued a high risk.

A tornado watch – which means weather conditions are ripe for tornadoes to form – was also issued for a large portion of the central U.S., all the way from Iowa to Arkansas.

Central Indiana upgraded to moderate risk for severe storms

12:45 p.m.: Central Indiana is now within the moderate risk for severe storms this evening, according to a tweet by NWS. Damaging winds are expected with the line of storms along with isolated tornadoes. Additional severe storms are possible ahead of the line.

Moderate risk means an area where widespread severe weather with several tornadoes and/or numerous severe thunderstorms is likely, some of which should be intense. This risk is usually reserved for days with several supercells producing intense tornadoes and/or very large hail, or an intense squall line with widespread damaging winds.

EARLIER PREDICTIONS: A line of severe thunderstorms is expected to make its way across Central Indiana late Friday and Saturday, bringing with it damaging winds, small to large hail, and the possibility of isolated tornadoes.

The Indianapolis area can expect rain Friday afternoon, followed by a chance for severe weather Friday evening, say meteorologists.

"We're looking at the potential for a few scattered showers and storms, probably between 5-8 p.m. Friday, and then a line of strong to severe storms coming in after that," said Andrew White, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Indianapolis.

Indianapolis weather:What Central Indiana residents can expect moving into 'heart of the severe weather season'

White said Hoosiers in Central Indiana should brace for damaging winds between 7-10 p.m. Friday, adding that an isolated tornado couldn't be ruled out.

A line of thunderstorms moving through Central Indiana Friday evening could bring damaging winds up to 70 mph and some risk of a few brief tornadoes, according to a hazardous weather outlook issued by NWS.

A wind advisory is also in place for portions of Central Indiana, including Indianapolis, from 8 p.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Saturday.

"I would say winds of 60-70 mph certainly looks likely at spots," White said. "Not everyone's going to get winds that fast. It all depends on where you are along the lines of the storm."

The gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects, down trees and cause power outages, according to the wind advisory.

The area of greatest concern appeared to be west-central Indiana counties and communities, but all residents of Central Indiana should monitor weather conditions Friday, according to a statement by NWS.

In addition to other safety precautions, White recommended Hoosiers bring in their outdoor lawn furniture in anticipation of strong winds and, if possible, to remove dead tree limbs that could cause potential hazards.

Others are reading:A falling tree killed two Indy children. Parents hope billboard will help save lives

"After the showers and storms move through the area, we are going to be looking at another period of strong winds," White said. "There could be some additional wind gusts of about 50 mph, which could cause some additional power outages."

AES Indiana is encouraging Hoosiers to be prepared for possible power outages Friday and Saturday.

Weather forecast for Indianapolis

According to NWS, the weather in Indianapolis will be windy, wet, and moderately warm this upcoming week. Here's what Hoosiers can expect.

Friday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 4 p.m. High near 65 degrees. Breezy, with a south wind 18 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Low around 41 degrees. Windy, with a west southwest wind 24 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 46 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Increasing clouds, with a temperature falling to around 41 degrees by noon. Windy, with a west wind 24 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 47 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 27 degrees. Northwest wind 8 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 57 degrees. Light southeast wind becoming south 6 to 11 mph in the morning.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46 degrees.

Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 68 degrees.

Monday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75 degrees.

Tuesday night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 59 degrees. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 70 degrees. Breezy.

Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40 degrees. Breezy.

Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 57 degrees.

IndyStar's Jake Allen and Cindi Andrews contributed to this article.

John Tufts covers evening breaking and trending news for the Indianapolis Star. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com.

Christmas weather: More than half the US population awaits ...

CNN —

Nearly 177 million Americans – or more than half the US population – will await Christmas weekend under wind chill alerts as a major arctic blast plunges temperatures to dangerous levels in much of the country, according to the National Weather Service.

And the snowiest part is yet to come as the perilous winter storm barrels east across the nation.

A developing “bomb cyclone” is set to unload heavy snow and blizzard conditions especially in the Midwest on Thursday and Friday.

The cold air and storm are affecting nearly every state in some way: More than 200 million people coast-to-coast were under winter-weather alerts for snow or icy conditions Thursday evening, the weather service said.

Wind chill alerts are impacting people from the Canadian border to the Mexican border and from Washington state to Florida, with below-zero wind chills recorded as far south as Texas on Thursday morning and expected in the Southeast by Friday.

“Life-threatening wind chills over the Great Plains (will) overspread the eastern half of the nation by Friday,” the Weather Prediction Center said – and wind chills below minus 50 degrees already have been reported in the past two days in parts of Montana, South Dakota and Wyoming.

FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES

Some low temperature records were set Thursday morning in the West and South, and in some cases they dropped this week with record-breaking speed: Denver International Airport saw a 37-degree plunge over one hour Wednesday, preliminarily the biggest one-hour drop recorded there, according to the National Weather Service.

Snow, meanwhile, has been hitting parts of the West and is expected in the next two days across much of the country’s eastern half.

A major snowstorm is shaping up for the Midwest and Great Lakes especially – with widespread light to moderate snowfall – but with powerful winds that may make for impossible travel conditions.

“Heavy snowfall rates” of 1 to 2 inches per hour, “along with wind gusts of over 50 mph will result in near-zero visibility and considerable blowing and drifting of snow,” the prediction center said.

The storm is expected to become a “bomb cyclone” – a rapidly strengthening storm that drops a certain amount of pressure within 24 hours – Thursday evening into Friday, reaching the pressure equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane as it moves into the Great Lakes. This could be “a once in a generation type of event,” a forecaster in the weather service’s Buffalo office wrote Tuesday, after noting that kind of strengthening doesn’t often happen in the lower Great Lakes.

A blizzard warning will be in place at 7 a.m. Friday in Buffalo and surrounding communities, where one to three feet of snow and 70 mph wind gusts are likely, according to the National Weather Service.

“This is not going to be a typical storm,” Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said Thursday. “In fact, this could be a life-threatening storm.”

About 2,400 flights have been canceled across the US Thursday, according to the flight tracking site FlightAware, snarling air travel amid the busy holiday season. And airlines have canceled more than 2,200 US flights scheduled for Friday.

In South Dakota, a 340-mile stretch of Interstate 90 was closed in both directions Thursday morning, from Rapid City to Sioux Falls, because of blizzard-like conditions, officials said. Near-zero visibility also led to many highway closures between Colorado and Wyoming on Wednesday.

Even Florida won’t be spared, with residents of the Sunshine State expected to see sudden temperature drops Friday. Some cities in the South – including Nashville and Memphis – are expected to see snow Thursday.

Flooding, meanwhile, is possible in parts of the Northeast, including Washington and Philadelphia, as rain hits the area Thursday before temperatures plummet overnight and bring a “flash freeze.”

President Joe Biden received a briefing on the weather Thursday morning at the White House, from the National Weather Service and Federal Emergency Management Agency. He encouraged Americans to heed the warnings of local officials and to stay safe in the face of the extreme cold.

“This is really a very serious weather alert here,” Biden said, adding that the White House has reached out to 26 governors in the affected regions.

Snow blankets buildings in Buffalo, New York, on Wednesday, December 28. Joed Viera/AFP/Getty Images National Guard troops check on Buffalo residents on December 28. Jeffrey T. Barnes/AP A traveler searches for luggage December 28 at a Southwest Airlines baggage holding area in Denver International Airport. More than 90% of Wednesday's US flight cancellations were Southwest flights, according to flight tracking website FlightAware. Southwest canceled more than 2,500 flights. Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images People help push a car out of snow in Buffalo on Tuesday, December 27. John Normile/Getty Images Niagara Falls in New York is partially frozen on December 27. Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Travelers at Baltimore/Washington International Airport deal with the impact of canceled flights on December 27. Michael McCoy/Reuters A gas station canopy lays on its side after high winds and heavy snow in Lackawanna, New York, on December 27. The historic winter storm dumped up to 4 feet of snow on the area. John Normile/Getty Images Hundreds of unclaimed suitcases sit near the Southwest Airlines baggage claim area in Tennessee's Nashville International Airport after the airline canceled thousands of flights on December 27. Seth Herald/AFP/Getty Images A street is blanketed by snow in downtown Buffalo on Monday, December 26. Gov. Kathy Hochul/Twitter/AP A person clears a snow-covered driveway in Buffalo on December 26. Faith Aktas/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images A man and a boy walk across the frozen Reflecting Pool towards the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, on December 26. Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images Firefighters carry rescue equipment as they respond to a fire on a snow-covered street in Buffalo on Sunday, December 25. Jalen Wright/The New York Times/Redux Snow blankets a neighborhood in Cheektowaga, New York, on Christmas Day. Western New York is drowning in thick "lake effect" snow -- which forms when cold air moves over the warm waters of the Great Lakes -- just one month after the region was slammed with a historic snowstorm. John Waller via AP A man tries to dig out his car after he got stuck in a snowdrift about a block from home in Buffalo on Saturday, December 24. Derek Gee/The Buffalo News via AP Icicles created by a sprinkler hang from an orange tree in Clermont, Florida, on December 24. Paul Hennessy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images A young holiday traveler passes the time at Detroit Wayne County Metro Airport on December 24. Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images Pedestrians deal with the cold in Chicago on December 24. Pat Nabong/Chicago Sun-Times via AP Hoak's Restaurant in Hamburg, New York, is seen covered in ice from the spray of Lake Erie on December 24. Kevin Hoak via Reuters Nissan Stadium employees clear the field in Nashville before the an NFL football game on December 24. Mark Zaleski/AP Amanda Kelly cleans off snow and ice from her car in Columbus, Ohio, on Friday, December 23. Joseph Scheller/Columbus Dispatch/USA Today Network Cars drive in whiteout conditions in Orchard Park, New York, on December 23. Mark Mulville/The Buffalo News/AP Travelers sleep while lines of people pass through a security checkpoint at Denver International Airport. David Zalubowski/AP Snow-covered buildings are seen in Louisville, Kentucky. Leandro Lozada/AFP/Getty Images The waters of Lake Erie wash over the shoreline in Hamburg, New York, on December 23. John Normile/Getty Images Snow collects on a bison at the Longfield Farm in Goshen, Kentucky, on December 23. Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal/USA Today Network Volunteers welcome a homeless person to a shelter at Louisville's Broadbent Arena on December 23. Leandro Lozada/AFP/Getty Images Stones are removed from a road in Westport, Massachusetts, after a storm surge made landfall, flooding many coastal areas on December 23. Peter Pereira/The Standard-Times/AP The Louisville skyline is obscured by steam rising from the Ohio River on December 23. Matt Stone/The Louisville Courier/USA Today Network Antonio Smothers jump-starts his vehicle in Nashville on December 23. Seth Herald/AFP/Getty Images Rows of headstones at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery are blanketed by drifting snow in Mandan on Thursday, December 22. Tom Stromme/The Bismarck Tribune/AP Migrants warm themselves by a fire next to the US-Mexico border fence on December 22 in El Paso, Texas. John Moore/Getty Images Robert Arnold puts chains onto the tires of his semitrailer while he waits for the eastbound lane of I-70 to reopen in Silverthorne, Colorado, on December 22. Jason Connolly/AFP/Getty Images A musician departs following a show on Broadway in Nashville on December 22. Seth Herald/AFP/Getty Images Brady Myers helps turn the Stewpot Community Services day shelter for the unhoused into an emergency overnight shelter in Jackson, Mississippi, on December 22. Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger/USA Today Network Vehicles travel along Interstate 44 on December 22, in St. Louis. Jeff Roberson/AP A person walks through the snow on December 22 in downtown Minneapolis. Alex Kormann/Star Tribune/AP A clean car passes a snow-covered car in Des Moines, Iowa. Charlie Neibergall/AP Travelers walk in front of flight information screens at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago on December 22. Nam Y. Huh/AP Ice collects on a window in Oklahoma City on December 22. Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman/USA Today Network Bus riders wait at a sheltered stop in Chicago on December 22. Charles Rex Arbogast/AP An accident involving a semi-tractor-trailer blocks the eastbound lanes of Interstate 80 in West Des Moines on December 22. Bryon Houlgrave/The Des Moines Register/AP Kids shovel snow off a sidewalk and driveway in Minneapolis on December 22. Abbie Parr/AP Travelers arrive for their flights at O'Hare International Airport on December 22 in Chicago. Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP/Getty Images Mist rises above ice flows on the Yellowstone River on December 22 in Paradise Valley, Montana. William Campbell/Getty Images Students walk to school buses after early dismissal at a middle school in Wheeling, Illinois, on December 22. Nam Y. Huh/AP Miguel Salazar clears sidewalks in Denver on December 22. Hyoung Chang/Denver Post/Getty Images Travelers arrive at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport on December 21. Alex Kormann/Star Tribune/AP Salt is prepared to be loaded onto a truck at the Department of Public Works sanitation yard in Milwaukee on December 21. Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel/AP Propane heaters sit next to pens at the City of Mission Animal Shelter in Mission, Texas, on December 21. Joel Martinez/The Monitor/AP Crews de-ice a Southwest Airlines plane before takeoff in Omaha, Nebraska, on December 21. Chris Machian/Omaha World-Herald/AP An Iowa Department of Transportation plow clears a road in Iowa City on December 21. Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press Citizen/AP Snow covers homes in Seattle on December 20. Daniel Kim/The Seattle Times/AP In pictures: Winter storm impacts the US Prev Next

What’s ahead for the bomb cyclone

• Snow was falling early Thursday afternoon from Oklahoma to Michigan.

• Snow and high winds are expected to make for terrible travel conditions from eastern Montana and the northern Plains into the Midwest and upstate New York.

• Blizzard warnings – meaning snow and wind of 35 mph will frequently reduce visibility to less than a quarter of a mile for at least three hours – were in effect Thursday morning in some of those areas, including just southwest of Minneapolis, just south and east of Chicago, and western and northern Michigan.

• Major cities including Minneapolis, Chicago, Kansas City, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Columbus and Detroit are under winter storm warnings.

More on the extreme cold

• Wind chill warnings, watches and advisories were in effect for more than 30 states from Washington to Florida on Thursday.

• The arctic front will push south into the Gulf of Mexico and sweep off the Eastern Seaboard by late Friday, bringing cold into the Deep South.

• Thursday’s daytime temperatures may stay below zero in the northern Plains and get barely above that in the central Plains.

• Areas further south – Texas and the Gulf Coast – will see temperatures in the single digits and teens Thursday evening, the Storm Prediction Center said.

• Officials in several southern states are warning residents to take precautions. Alabama warned Thursday and Friday would likely feature “the coldest December airmass to hit the state since 1989,” the state’s emergency management agency said. Friday’s lows in that state were expected to range from the single digits in the north to the low 20s by the Gulf of Mexico.

• Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards asked residents Thursday to check on friends and family members that might have a hard time with the frigid temperatures. Lows Friday and Saturday were expected to be in the teens and 20s there.

• Two locations in Wyoming set records early Thursday for the lowest temperatures ever recorded at a particular location, regardless of the date on the calendar. Those new records are minus 41 degrees in Casper, and minus 29 in Riverton.

• Other locations in the West and South set record lows Thursday for temperatures on any December 22. They included several places in Montana (including minus 34 degrees in Boseman and minus 20 in East Cut Bank); Greybull, Wyoming, (minus 26); East Rapid City, South Dakota, (minus 18); Ketchikan Airport, Arkansas, (3); and three places in Washington state, including minus 20 degrees in Pullman.

Jason Hanna Ray Sanchez Dave Hennen
Jason Hanna
Ray Sanchez
Dave Hennen

Friday Tornado outbreak: Tornado emergencies; damage in Little ...

LATEST SATURDAY UPDATES:Tornadoes, severe storms tear across South, Midwest

A tornado outbreak caused widespread havoc Friday evening, killing four and injuring dozens as federal forecasters warned of rare twister emergencies and confirmed tornadoes across several states.

One tornado ripped through neighborhoods on the west side of Little Rock, Arkansas claiming at least one life, the Associated Press reported. It destroyed homes and apartment buildings, overturned vehicles and prompted search and rescue efforts.

There were more confirmed twisters in Iowa and wind-whipped grass fires blazed in Oklahoma, as the storm system threatened a broad swath of the country home to some 85 million people.

In Belvidere, Illinois, the roof of the Apollo Theater collapsed on heavy metal concertgoers as a storm swept through the area, causing multiple injuries, reported the Rockford Register Star, a USA TODAY Network property. One person died and 28 were injured, officials said late Friday. Dozens of ambulances were called to the scene as emergency responders cared for the wounded.

Belvidere Fire Department Chief Shawn Schadle said 260 people were in the venue at the time. He said first responders also rescued someone from an elevator and had to grapple with downed power lines outside the theater.

Belvidere Police Chief Shane Woody described the scene after the collapse as "chaos, absolute chaos."

Gabrielle Lewellyn had just entered the theater when a portion of the ceiling collapsed.

"I was there within a minute before it came down," she told WTVO-TV. "The winds, when I was walking up to the building, it went like from zero to a thousand within five seconds."

Some people rushed to lift the collapsed portion of the ceiling and pull people out of the rubble, said Lewellyn, who wasn’t hurt.

"They dragged someone out from the rubble and I sat with him and I held his hand and I was (telling him) 'It’s going to be OK.' I didn’t really know much else what to do."

Another tornado ripped through Wynne, in eastern Arkansas, killing two, trapping others in debris and causing widespread damage. More than seven tornadoes and large hail were confirmed by the weather service across Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, and Tennessee.

The destructive weather came as President Joe Biden toured the aftermath of a deadly tornado that struck in Mississippi one week ago and promised the government would help the area recover.

Friday's storm threats continued throughout the evening, with the National Weather Service warning supercell storms were increasing the threat of tornadoes across east central Arkansas near the Mississippi and Tennessee borders. Residents were urged to take cover in basements and interior rooms away from windows.

The storms sped across the Mississippi Valley Friday just a week after another tornado outbreak killed 21 people in Mississippi, including a long-track twister that destroyed much of Rolling Fork and brought President Joe Biden to the community on Friday.

Forecasters also are warning the Mississippi Valley will face another round of severe storms and a potential tornado outbreak on Tuesday.

Is a tornado watch or warning worse?:What to know about preparing for these violent storms

READ MORE:Bad tornado season in US is set to get worse

Tornado emergency in Arkansas

Dozens were injured as a tornado roared through Little Rock during one of several "tornado emergencies" Friday as the powerful storm system moved across the Mississippi River valley. A tornado emergency is issued when a severe threat to human life or catastrophic damage is imminent or ongoing.

The Little Rock Fire Department reported heavy damage and debris. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Medical Center in Little Rock was operating at a mass casualty level and preparing for up to 20 patients, spokesperson Leslie Taylor said. Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock officials told KATV in the afternoon that 21 people had checked in there with tornado-caused injuries, including five in critical condition.

Mayor Frank Scott Jr. tweeted that city officials were aware of 24 who had been hospitalized, and said property damage was "extensive."

Earlier in the afternoon, he had requested assistance from the Arkansas National Guard. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders activated 100 members of the state's guard to respond to damage throughout the state.

Sanders tweeted: "Significant damage has occurred in Central Arkansas....Praying for all those who were and remain in the path of this storm. Arkansans must continue to stay weather aware as storms are continuing to move through."

The weather service issued a separate tornado emergency late Friday afternoon for the towns of Parkin and Earle in eastern Arkansas, when the tornado struck Wynne. The tornado prompted emergency responders to try to close a portion of Interstate 55 at Marion, just west of Memphis.

The tornado destroyed buildings, damaged Wynne High School, flipped cars and shredded rooftops reported the Commercial Appeal, a USA TODAY Network paper in Memphis.

The twisters were moving at speeds of 55 to 60 mph.

By 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time, more than 300,000 customers were out of electricity across eight states as the storms moved east with 60-70 mph winds. More than 100,000 customers were without electricity in Illinois, according to poweroutage.us, which tracks outages. The website reported outages as high as 80,000 customers in Arkansas earlier in the evening. Outages also were reported in Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Tennessee and Iowa.

Tornadoes cause damages in Iowa, Illinois and Tennessee

In Clinton County, Iowa, the Sheriff's office asked people to stay home after "a strong storm system" moved through. The agency reported a house had collapsed on people.

In Charlotte, Iowa, a storm damaged a 10,000 gallon propane tank, with wind concerns prompting authorities to evacuate about half the town's 400 residents, reported the Des Moines Register, part of the USA TODAY Network.

PHOTOS:Iowa City area tornado damage

Storms also caused damage in Eastern Iowa, the Register reported, with residents working to help neighbors salvage belongings from storm-damaged homes in Hills and a shelter being set up in Coralville for people who lost homes.

In Covington, Tennessee, the city's police department posted on Facebook that the city was "impassable," the Commercial Appeal reported. Multiple homes and structures also were damaged in Tipton County.

Late into the evening, strong winds of 60 - 70 mph were reported across much of the region. At one point the weather service office in Memphis reported losing electricity and operating on a generator as storms continued to hammer the area.

Tornado surveys

Experts in weather service field offices throughout the region plan to begin tornado damage surveys early Saturday morning. They'll start the process of determining the magnitude of the tornadoes and the time and length they were on the ground.

Early warnings

On Friday morning, an estimated 89 million people in at least 15 states – from Texas to Alabama in the South all the way up north to Wisconsin and Michigan – were warned of a "high risk" from the "explosive" storms, with a chance for violent, long-track tornadoes. It was the first time in two years the center had issued a "high risk" warning, and this time there were two.

Meanwhile, heavy snow and strong winds were produced blizzard-like conditions in South Dakota.

What is a tornado emergency?

A step above a tornado warning, issued by the National Weather Service in “exceedingly rare” situations, when:

A severe threat to human life or catastrophic damage is imminent or ongoing.

Visual or radar evidence such as a reliable source confirms a tornado or a radar picks up the signature of a ball of debris inside the tornado.

Biden visited tornado-ravaged Mississippi town

President Joe Biden on Friday visited areas severely damaged by tornadoes last week. Rolling Fork and nearby Silver City, Mississippi, lost around 300 homes and businesses, with hundreds of other buildings badly damaged.

The president and first lady Jill Biden surveyed tornado damage, met with affected homeowners and first responders and received an operational briefing from federal and state officials.

They were joined by Gov. Tate Reeves, Mississippi Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and Rep. Bennie Thompson.

Biden announced the federal government will cover the total cost of the state’s emergency measures for the next 30 days, including overtime for first responders and debris cleanup.

Is a tornado watch or warning worse?:What to know about preparing for these violent storms

Tornado preparedness tips

It's always important to have an emergency plan in place in the event of severe weather, including designating a "safe place" in your home, preferably away from windows and in an interior room, the weather service says.

Keeping supplies handy like flashlights, batteries, food, water, clothes and shoes

Have multiple ways to get updates, including push alerts, local TV reports, weather apps and a NOAA weather radio.

"I think the No. 1 message that people need to have is that they need to be prepared," said Pam Knox, director of the University of Georgia Weather Network. "Don't rely on outdoor sirens as a warning. Instead, have a weather radio or smartphone at the ready.

"And know where you're going to go if you hear a tornado warning," she said.

It's been a bad start to the USA's tornado season

With 311 tornadoes through Thursday, the U.S. had already seen the third-most-active start to a year on record.

“We should be at about 200 tornadoes for today's date,” Victor Gensini, associate professor at Northern Illinois University, told USA TODAY. “So we're running about 100 tornadoes above average, and we have been the entire year."

READ MORE:Bad tornado season in US is set to get worse

US weather watches and warnings

Blizzard warning issued in Plains, upper Great Lakes

The same storm system is expected to produce a band of heavy snow, with blizzard conditions possible from the central Plains to the upper Great Lakes region from Friday to Saturday, Larson said.

The weather service issued a blizzard warning from Friday afternoon through Saturday morning for a large swath of South Dakota and neighboring states.

Some spots in South Dakota could pick up as much as 20 inches of snow from the storm, the weather service said.

More winter weather in Northwest

Meanwhile in parts of Oregon and Washington, a winter storm warning is in effect through Sunday, with snow accumulations up to 48 inches possible at

higher elevations in the Cascades, and winds of up to 40 mph.

Winter storm map

National weather radar

More coverage from USA TODAY

Contributing: The Associated Press, Commercial Appeal and Des Moines Register.

Winter storm forecast: Latest updates on blizzard warnings, tornadoes

Looking for latest updates on winter storms? This story is a recap of weather from Tuesday, Dec. 13. Read here for the latest forecast and storm updates for Wednesday, Dec. 14.

***

A massive winter storm roaring across the West dumped up to 4 feet of snow in parts of Nevada and Idaho, fueled blizzard warnings in six other states, and spawned tornadoes that injured several people in the South.

More than 25 million Americans were under dangerous weather watches and warnings Tuesday. The storm's march across the nation could last through the weekend when parts of the northeast could be blasted with more than a foot of snow, forecasters warned.

"This is a 'we are not kidding' kind of storm," the South Dakota Department of Transportation tweeted as it warned of road closures across much of the state. "BLIZZARD and ICE STORM WARNINGS have been issued. Rain/freezing rain and heavy snow coupled with high winds will impact travel."

The powerful storm system left some southern communities in shambles. There were multiple reports of injuries in the south, mainly in Texas and Louisiana, as tornadoes and storms tore through the region.

6 states face blizzard conditions

Parts of Nebraska, Colorado, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, and Kansas were facing blizzard conditions – snow with winds of at least 35 mph, reducing visibilities to a quarter of a mile or less – and several other states faced winter storm and ice storm warnings, the National Weather Service said.

The Nebraska Department of Transportation closed stretches of Interstate 80 and Interstate 76. The Nebraska State Patrol urged people to stay off the roads.

“There’s essentially no one traveling right now,” said Justin McCallum, a manager at the Flying J truck stop at Ogallala, Nebraska.

In Colorado, the weather service office in Boulder said state transportation department cameras showed "deteriorating conditions across the plains" Tuesday. The heaviest snow reported in the past 24 hours happened in the northern and western areas of the state, including 10 inches in Stoner and more than 8 inches in Steamboat Springs, according to AccuWeather.

The storm was forecast to rage through Wednesday, and the weather service said most roads in northeast Colorado were closed. Conditions were expected to worsen amid heavy snow and wind gusts that could reach 60 mph.

Parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota have also been dealing with freezing rain, according to AccuWeather. Residents from these states have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel due to icy roads and outages may be possible due to strong winds and as ice accumulates on power lines.

Communities in South Dakota have also seen piles of snow on Tuesday with some seeing 18 inches of snow, AccuWeather said.

GRAPHICS: Major winter storm to bring significant weather hazards across the US

7 injured in Texas tornadoes, storms

Tornado sirens blared across much of North Texas as a line of storms tore through the Dallas area, and social media posts depicted extensive damage. The weather service office in Fort Worth confirmed Tuesday that five tornadoes touched down and as many as 12 may have occurred.

Three of the tornadoes touched down in Tarrant County, one in Wise County and one west of Paris, Texas in Lamar County.

"Line continues to move east producing isolated tornadoes, damaging winds, and hail up to quarter size," the Fort Worth office tweeted.

In Grapevine, 20 miles northwest of Dallas, at least five people were injured, and a Sam's Club, a Walmart and the Grapevine Mills Mall were shut down due to damage, police said. Several other businesses in the area also were damaged, police said in a Facebook post.

Emergency management officials in Dallas warned wind gusts could reach 70 mph and that hail was possible. Dallas-Fort Worth Airport briefly activated a "shelter in place" program.

"We ask that you move away from windows & exteriors," airport authorities said in a Tuesday morning tweet. "Shelter in enclosed spaces if you are at the airport. Please do not travel to the airport until the tornado warning is deactivated."

The alert was later cleared by the National Weather Service, but the airport urged travelers to "please check the weather in your area before traveling to the airport, and check with your airline for the latest on your flight status."

Meanwhile, at least two people were reported injured in Decatur, Texas, about 70 miles northwest of Dallas. One person was hurt when wind overturned their vehicle, and another in a separate vehicle was hurt by flying debris, the county's emergency management office said. One person was taken to the hospital and the other was treated at the scene.

Additionally, numerous homes and businesses were damaged due to the severe weather that hit east of Paradise and south of Decatur in Wise County, according to CNN.

1 injured, 2 missing in Louisiana after tornado

A tornado spun through Caddo Parish, Louisiana, about 10 miles northwest of Shreveport on Tuesday night — leaving one person injured and two others missing, according to Caddo Parish police. Local authorities have been searching for the two missing through the debris after the tornado damaged several structures and other infrastructure.

Tornado damages homes in Oklahoma

At least one tornado touched down Tuesday in south central Oklahoma. No deaths or injuries were immediately reported in the McClain County town of Wayne, 40 miles south of Oklahoma City. County Sheriff’s Capt. Bryan Murrell said damage was widespread in Wayne, where storm sirens are tested every Friday when the weather is sunny, according to the town's website.

"We’ve got multiple family structures with significant damage," he said, adding that power lines were down in and around the town.

'WHITEOUT CONDITIONS:Winter storm could fuel blizzard conditions, travel havoc across swath of US

Ice storm could darken parts of Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota

The weather service said that parts of Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota could see a half-inch of ice and wind gusts of up to 45 mph. Power outages, tree damage, falling branches and hazardous travel conditions threatened the region, and the impact could remain into the weekend.

"Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects," the weather service in Iowa warned. "Be sure to secure outdoor holiday decorations. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result."

In Minnesota and South Dakota, a mix of rain, freezing rain and snow on Tuesday will give way to slushy Wednesday morning commutes before getting drier later in the day.

The weather will likely transition to potentially double-digit amounts of snow that could blanket Minnesota and the Dakotas Thursday through Saturday, said Tyler Hasenstein, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Chanhassen, Minn.

"It's been a doozy for sure," Hasenstein said. "The precipitation is constantly changing and has been hard to pin down until it actually hits us."

East Coast won't be spared

AccuWeather said the storm will create a "spinoff system" along the East Coast that could bring a foot of snow or more to parts of the Northeast along with icy conditions and coastal flooding.

"A storm will develop near southeastern Virginia on Thursday, track just off the New Jersey coast on Friday and finally spin near southeastern New England on Saturday," AccuWeather Meteorologist Mary Gilbert said. She forecast a widespread snowfall for a large part of the region.

BE PREPARED:The key for how to survive a blizzard? Plan ahead

Tornado conditions target Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi

In addition to Oklahoma and Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi could draw "severe hail, winds, and tornadoes, including the potential for a couple strong tornadoes," the weather service said.

AccuWeather warned that the line of storms will gain intensity and become more widespread as it slides east. Tuesday's severe weather could stretch into major population centers beyond Dallas, including Houston, Little Rock, Arkansas; and New Orleans, AccuWeather said.

Anchorage schools set to reopen after 'unprecedented' storms

Even Alaska wasn't safe – a series of record-breaking storms forced the closure of Anchorage schools for a week, unprecedented in a city accustomed to dealing with wintry conditions.

"Barring any unforeseen weather conditions in the next 12 hours, it’s back-to-school tomorrow as best we can given these unprecedented back-to-back snow storms," the district said in a Facebook post on Monday. "It’s going to take patience and planning as a community to make it happen."

Contributing: The Associated Press

A 'particularly dangerous situation' tornado watch in effect for parts of ...

Editor’s Note: Affected by the storms? Use CNN’s lite site for low bandwidth.

CNN —

Numerous tornadoes – including a few intense ones – are possible Tuesday evening for parts of Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi as severe storms rake the area, a situation that moved forecasters to issue a special tornado watch alerting residents to an unusual level of risk.

Track the storms as they develop >>

A “particularly dangerous situation” tornado watch, reserved for the most significant severe-storm threats and used in only 3% of watches, was issued for central Mississippi, northeast Louisiana and southwest Arkansas, and is in effect until 2 a.m. CT. It is the second such watch issued Tuesday and covers many of the same locations as the first, which has expired.

“An outbreak of severe thunderstorms is underway in the South this evening and is expected to push into the overnight hours,” the National Weather Service said Tuesday. “Severe thunderstorms are bringing strong tornadoes, very large hail, and severe wind gusts across parts of the lower to mid Mississippi Valley, Mid-South and parts of the Southeast.”

At least 10 tornadoes had been reported as of 8:30 p.m. ET. All but one were in central and southern Mississippi.

A strong storm that hit Lowndes County, Mississippi, this evening left behind a path of destruction, with reports of damaged homes, Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins told CNN affiliate WTVA.

This comes as severe storms could hit a much wider area of the United States from Tuesday into early Wednesday, from the Gulf Coast to the Midwest, with tornadoes, damaging winds and hail, forecasters said.

But prediction center forecasters focused especially on Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, saying “parameters appear favorable for strong and long-tracked tornadoes,” meaning ones that stay on the ground for an extended period, Tuesday afternoon and early evening in the watch area.

“Numerous tornadoes (are) expected with a few intense tornadoes likely,” along with scattered large hail and scattered damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph, forecasters said in the special tornado watch.

Overall, more than 41 million people from southeastern Texas eastward to Georgia and northward to central Indiana and Illinois are under at least a marginal threat of severe weather Tuesday, according to the Storm Prediction Center.

Separate from the special tornado watch, the prediction center laid out an area where it believed the largest potential for severe weather, including tornadoes, existed – covering 1.6 million people in east-central Louisiana; a sliver of southeastern Arkansas; much of Mississippi, including Jackson; and northwestern Alabama. The threat for that area – a Level 4 of 5, or moderate – is relatively rare for this time of year, and tornadoes, though they can happen year-round, are more frequent in the spring and summer.

Jason Hanna Aya Elamroussi
Jason Hanna
Aya Elamroussi

Massive California storms pummels state with heavy rain and winds

Looking for updates on California storms? Follow our latest coverage here.

SAN FRANCISCO – California declared a state of emergency Wednesday as a powerful storm generated 45-foot waves out at sea, dropped soaking rain on already saturated ground, and prompted warnings of floods and mudslides, knocking out power to more than 100,000 people.

The storm was expected to dump up to 6 inches of rain in parts of the San Francisco Bay Area where most of the region would remain under flood warnings into late Thursday night. In Southern California, the storm was expected to peak in intensity overnight into early Thursday morning with Santa Barbara and Ventura counties likely to see the most rain, forecasters said.

On Wednesday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom authorized state National Guard units to support disaster response as a massive storm pummeled much of the state's coastline.

Fire and rescue equipment and personnel have been prepositioned in areas deemed most likely to experience severe flooding and mudflows.

GRAPHICS:'Rivers in the sky': Graphics show atmospheric river soaking California's Bay Area

"If you've still got power, it's a good idea to charge your cellphone, computers and tablets now while you can," said National Weather Service meteorologist Cynthia Palmer in the agency's San Francisco area office. If the power goes out, having access to timely information about the storm – and something to watch – will be useful, she said.

The storm is termed a "bomb cyclone" because it is expected to be marked by a quick drop in atmospheric pressure resulting in a high-intensity storm.

"All told it's about a 30-hour event from start to finish," said Rick Canepa, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's San Francisco office. "The rain won't be done until Thursday afternoon or early evening."

Severe weather could drop 10 or more inches of rain in some parts of Northern California over the next week, forecasters say. Wednesday's storm was expected to knock down trees, cause widespread flooding, wash out roads, cause hillsides to collapse, slow airports and potentially lead to the "loss of human life," the National Weather Service said.

But officials warn even then the danger isn't over. Forecasters are watching other systems out at sea that could also hit the region with more precipitation.

Meanwhile, California wasn't the only place facing severe weather on Wednesday. A possible tornado touched down near Montgomery, Alabama, early Wednesday. There were no deaths but the twister damaged more than 50 homes.

Flood-related deaths confirmed in Sacramento; motorists rescued

Two more bodies were found Wednesday after flooding in a rural part of south Sacramento County, authorities said, bringing the death toll from the atmospheric river storm on New Year's Eve to three.

The third body was found in a vehicle that was submerged in water , said Sgt. Amar Gandhi, a Sacramento County Sheriff's Office spokesman.

The victim had not been identified and there was no additional information about the incident, Gandhi said Wednesday night.

During the morning, California Highway Patrol officers found the body of a woman while recovering vehicles that got stuck due to flooding.

On Sunday, authorities discovered the body of a man inside a submerged vehicle. Gandhi said rescue efforts in Sacramento County are ongoing.

Elsewhere across Northern California communities, several motorists were rescued from flooded roads and fallen trees.

The San Francisco Fire Department rescued a family Wednesday night after fallen trees on a city road trapped the family.

California residents face outages

With heavy rain saturating the ground and strong winds, trees are more likely to fall and can cause widespread power outages, according to Karla Nemeth, director of the California Department of Water Resources.

Officials and power companies warned residents to prepare for possible outages due to the storm by creating emergency kits and keeping essential devices charged.

Nearly 178,000 homes and businesses were in the dark Wednesday night, according to PowerOutage.us, which tracks outages. Most outages were reported on the north coast of the state.

Helping homeless people from storm

At the foot of San Francisco’s Bernal Heights neighborhood, Magaly Rowell waited for her bus under an umbrella at what passes for a bus shelter next to Precita Park. She was defying the elements not because of her job at a security company, but to feed homeless people at a nearby church, something Rowell said she does daily.

“It’s not so bad if there’s no wind,” Rowell said as her umbrella got pelted by the rain and torrents of water flowed down Folsom Street. “It gets harder when the wind picks up like today. I worry about the homeless people. They’re the ones who suffer the most when the weather gets like this.”

Evacuations ordered in coastal cities

Officials in Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara issued evacuation orders Wednesday as the huge storm puts the coastal areas at high risk due to potential mudslides and flooding.

Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for those living in burn scar areas in Santa Barbara County due to potential flooding and debris flows, Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown announced during a Wednesday news conference.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office issued numerous evacuation orders for southern parts of the county throughout Wednesday due to concerns over potential flooding and debris flow from storm conditions.

Flight disruptions amid powerful storm

With its high winds and heavy rains, the storm is already causing flight disruptions in the Bay Area with more anticipated to come as the peak approaches.

As of Wednesday afternoon, San Francisco International Airport has experienced 74 flight cancellations, accounting for 8% of all flights.

About 191 flights have been delayed by an average of 35 minutes, according to Doug Yakel, a public information officer for the airport. "Delays and cancellations are a result of both the reduced ceilings and winds," he told USA TODAY.

"In regards to general airport operations here at OAK, our operations team is prepared," a spokesperson for Oakland International Airport told USA TODAY. Passengers with flights to and from Oakland are strongly encouraged to check with their airline through their mobile app or website for updates on their flights.

Travel waivers for flights disrupted by California's "bomb cyclone":

Southwest Airlines is offering free rebooking for flights scheduled for Wednesday, for flights to and from Oakland, Sacramento, San Francisco, and San Jose. The rebooking must have the same city pairs and travel dates within 14 days of the original travel date.

On Wednesday night, Delta Air Lines issued a travel waiver for flights scheduled on Thursday and Friday to or from San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, San Jose, and Fresno. The fare difference will be waived when the rebooked travel takes place on or before Jan. 8.

Residents brace for floods

In San Francisco, customers at Papenhausen Hardware were most worried about flooding, said store co-owner Karl Aguilar.

“Last week a fair amount of people were focused on the roofs – small leaks, windows, things like that,’’ Aguilar said. “There was a point where it transitioned and people became much more concerned with flooding mitigation. This particular storm, it’s all flood mitigation.’’

A few doors to the east, Grace Daryanani at Bulls Head restaurant has sandbags and wet/dry vacuum cleaners at the ready. Her space has flooded in big storms before but she's hoping a new outdoor dining area might divert some of the water.

“Maybe that will help," she said.

LEARN MORE:What is a bomb cyclone?

WEATHER TERMS:What is an 'atmospheric river'?

Wind gusts as high as 80 mph

Forecasters warned of flood threats and issued high wind warnings in the lead-up to the storm. The National Weather Service in the Bay Area delivered a rare admonition saying the coming "brutal" storm system "needs to be taken seriously."

"Honestly, the biggest story right now is the winds," said Palmer. Coastal areas could be hit with winds in the 40 to 50 mph range, while some mountain areas could get gusts as high as 80 mph.

Flooding and landslides likely

Because the ground was already saturated with the more than 5 inches of rain that fell on New Year's Eve, Wednesday's storm could cause severe problems and damage in some areas.

"The main concern is the smaller watersheds and steep slopes. So mudslides, shallow landslides and urban and small creek flooding could get quite significant for a period of time on Wednesday night in some locations," said Daniel Swain, a climatologist at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Severe weather, possible tornadoes in South

The South, too, was being hit with intense weather Wednesday. Heavy rains, flash floods and severe weather were seen in a swath across Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina.

A possible tornado touched down in east Montgomery, Alabama at 3:14 a.m. on Wednesday.

Rodney Penn, who was home when the storm hit, said a fallen tree limb broke out the windows in his wife's car but there was no structural damage to his apartment.

“It literally sounded like there were a thousand baseball bats hitting the side of the house at the same time,” Penn said.

In South Carolina, five counties were under a tornado watch Wednesday.

Heavy rain in California not an end to drought in West

The extreme drought conditions California has struggled under are helping avert some possible flooding because many of the state's larger reservoirs are still quite low, said Swain.

"They have a lot of headroom right now to absorb a lot of water," he said.

The state finds itself in the middle of a flood emergency even as it's in the middle of a drought emergency, Karla Nemeth, director of the California Department of Water Resources said during a news conference Wednesday.

"A lot of our trees are stressed after three years of intensive drought, the ground is saturated and there is a significant chance of downed trees that will create significant problems, potentially flooding problems, potentially power problems," she said.

While the rains are likely to alleviate the short-term drought in Northern California along the coast, they will do little in terms of bringing drought relief to the West as a whole.

"It won't really help move the needle in the Colorado basin but it certainly will in central and northern California," Swain said.

More water is on the way

There are two more possible storms also out in the Pacific, one that could arrive late Friday and run into Sunday and then another possible storm that could arrive Tuesday, Canepa said.

Both could bring higher-than-normal rain levels through the middle of January.

There's a wide range of uncertainty for next week, ranging from a couple of additional moderate storms which wouldn't cause too many problems to one or possibly more atmospheric river events.

What's an atmospheric river?

The storm, the second of three or possibly four headed toward the California coast, is coming from across the Pacific ocean. It's what's known as an atmospheric river or, to use the term more common a few years ago, a Pineapple Express because it originates over Hawaii.

These storms bring heavy rainfall and occur when a line of warm, moist air flows from near the islands across the Pacific Ocean to the West Coast.

When it reaches the cooler air over the western landmass, the water vapor falls as heavy rain. Atmospheric rivers are long, flowing regions of the atmosphere that carry water vapor across a swath of sky 250 to 375 miles wide. They can be more than 1,000 miles long – and can carry more water than the Mississippi River.

Contributing: Dinah Voyles Pulver and Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY; Evan Mealins and Alex Gladden, Montgomery Advertiser; Hannah Workman, The Record

Prolonged winter storm causes at least 37 deaths and leaves ...

CNN —

The prolonged winter storm that brought heavy snow, high winds and brutal cold to most of the US this past week has killed at least 37 people and had hundreds of thousands without power on Christmas morning.

Perhaps the worst impact was around Buffalo, New York, where 43 inches of snow fell as of Sunday morning, according to the National Weather Service. The snowfall and blizzard conditions made roads impassable, froze power substations and left more than a dozen people dead, Erie County officials said.

The conditions eased slightly on Sunday, allowing emergency responders to get out and see the extent of the problem.

“I don’t want to say that this is going to be it because that would be a fallacy for me to say that, because we know that there are people who have been stuck in cars for more than two days,” Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said Sunday. “There are people in homes who are below freezing temperatures.”

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul called it the “most devastating storm in Buffalo’s long storied history” due to its power and its extended length.

“It’s a crisis of epic proportion,” Hochul told CNN’s Paula Reid on Sunday.

Over the past week, this winter storm brought dangerously cold temperatures, blizzard conditions and coastal flooding to almost the entirety of the US, wrecking Christmas plans along the way.

More than 55 million people were under wind chill alerts Sunday morning, and freeze warnings are in effect across the South.

The blizzard conditions persisted Sunday across the Great Lakes, while frigid cold temperatures gripped the eastern two-thirds of the country.

Some major cities in the Southeast, Midwest and East Coast recorded their coldest Christmas in decades. In Florida, it will be the coldest December 25 since 1983 for Miami, Tampa, Orlando and West Palm Beach.

New York City also saw record cold temperatures on Christmas Eve at several locations, including its JFK and LaGuardia airports. The high at Central Park was 15 degrees, marking it the second-coldest December 24 in at least 150 years, according to the National Weather Service.

Temperatures are forecast to rebound later in the week with a much-welcomed warming trend with above-normal temperatures.

About 250,000 homes and businesses in the US had no electricity service as of about 11 a.m. ET Sunday, with nearly half of those affected in Maine and New York, according to PowerOutage.us. Since the start of the storm the number of outages has at times exceeded a million customers.

Power grid struggling with cold

Snow blankets buildings in Buffalo, New York, on Wednesday, December 28. Joed Viera/AFP/Getty Images National Guard troops check on Buffalo residents on December 28. Jeffrey T. Barnes/AP A traveler searches for luggage December 28 at a Southwest Airlines baggage holding area in Denver International Airport. More than 90% of Wednesday's US flight cancellations were Southwest flights, according to flight tracking website FlightAware. Southwest canceled more than 2,500 flights. Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images People help push a car out of snow in Buffalo on Tuesday, December 27. John Normile/Getty Images Niagara Falls in New York is partially frozen on December 27. Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Travelers at Baltimore/Washington International Airport deal with the impact of canceled flights on December 27. Michael McCoy/Reuters A gas station canopy lays on its side after high winds and heavy snow in Lackawanna, New York, on December 27. The historic winter storm dumped up to 4 feet of snow on the area. John Normile/Getty Images Hundreds of unclaimed suitcases sit near the Southwest Airlines baggage claim area in Tennessee's Nashville International Airport after the airline canceled thousands of flights on December 27. Seth Herald/AFP/Getty Images A street is blanketed by snow in downtown Buffalo on Monday, December 26. Gov. Kathy Hochul/Twitter/AP A person clears a snow-covered driveway in Buffalo on December 26. Faith Aktas/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images A man and a boy walk across the frozen Reflecting Pool towards the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, on December 26. Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images Firefighters carry rescue equipment as they respond to a fire on a snow-covered street in Buffalo on Sunday, December 25. Jalen Wright/The New York Times/Redux Snow blankets a neighborhood in Cheektowaga, New York, on Christmas Day. Western New York is drowning in thick "lake effect" snow -- which forms when cold air moves over the warm waters of the Great Lakes -- just one month after the region was slammed with a historic snowstorm. John Waller via AP A man tries to dig out his car after he got stuck in a snowdrift about a block from home in Buffalo on Saturday, December 24. Derek Gee/The Buffalo News via AP Icicles created by a sprinkler hang from an orange tree in Clermont, Florida, on December 24. Paul Hennessy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images A young holiday traveler passes the time at Detroit Wayne County Metro Airport on December 24. Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images Pedestrians deal with the cold in Chicago on December 24. Pat Nabong/Chicago Sun-Times via AP Hoak's Restaurant in Hamburg, New York, is seen covered in ice from the spray of Lake Erie on December 24. Kevin Hoak via Reuters Nissan Stadium employees clear the field in Nashville before the an NFL football game on December 24. Mark Zaleski/AP Amanda Kelly cleans off snow and ice from her car in Columbus, Ohio, on Friday, December 23. Joseph Scheller/Columbus Dispatch/USA Today Network Cars drive in whiteout conditions in Orchard Park, New York, on December 23. Mark Mulville/The Buffalo News/AP Travelers sleep while lines of people pass through a security checkpoint at Denver International Airport. David Zalubowski/AP Snow-covered buildings are seen in Louisville, Kentucky. Leandro Lozada/AFP/Getty Images The waters of Lake Erie wash over the shoreline in Hamburg, New York, on December 23. John Normile/Getty Images Snow collects on a bison at the Longfield Farm in Goshen, Kentucky, on December 23. Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal/USA Today Network Volunteers welcome a homeless person to a shelter at Louisville's Broadbent Arena on December 23. Leandro Lozada/AFP/Getty Images Stones are removed from a road in Westport, Massachusetts, after a storm surge made landfall, flooding many coastal areas on December 23. Peter Pereira/The Standard-Times/AP The Louisville skyline is obscured by steam rising from the Ohio River on December 23. Matt Stone/The Louisville Courier/USA Today Network Antonio Smothers jump-starts his vehicle in Nashville on December 23. Seth Herald/AFP/Getty Images Rows of headstones at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery are blanketed by drifting snow in Mandan on Thursday, December 22. Tom Stromme/The Bismarck Tribune/AP Migrants warm themselves by a fire next to the US-Mexico border fence on December 22 in El Paso, Texas. John Moore/Getty Images Robert Arnold puts chains onto the tires of his semitrailer while he waits for the eastbound lane of I-70 to reopen in Silverthorne, Colorado, on December 22. Jason Connolly/AFP/Getty Images A musician departs following a show on Broadway in Nashville on December 22. Seth Herald/AFP/Getty Images Brady Myers helps turn the Stewpot Community Services day shelter for the unhoused into an emergency overnight shelter in Jackson, Mississippi, on December 22. Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger/USA Today Network Vehicles travel along Interstate 44 on December 22, in St. Louis. Jeff Roberson/AP A person walks through the snow on December 22 in downtown Minneapolis. Alex Kormann/Star Tribune/AP A clean car passes a snow-covered car in Des Moines, Iowa. Charlie Neibergall/AP Travelers walk in front of flight information screens at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago on December 22. Nam Y. Huh/AP Ice collects on a window in Oklahoma City on December 22. Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman/USA Today Network Bus riders wait at a sheltered stop in Chicago on December 22. Charles Rex Arbogast/AP An accident involving a semi-tractor-trailer blocks the eastbound lanes of Interstate 80 in West Des Moines on December 22. Bryon Houlgrave/The Des Moines Register/AP Kids shovel snow off a sidewalk and driveway in Minneapolis on December 22. Abbie Parr/AP Travelers arrive for their flights at O'Hare International Airport on December 22 in Chicago. Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP/Getty Images Mist rises above ice flows on the Yellowstone River on December 22 in Paradise Valley, Montana. William Campbell/Getty Images Students walk to school buses after early dismissal at a middle school in Wheeling, Illinois, on December 22. Nam Y. Huh/AP Miguel Salazar clears sidewalks in Denver on December 22. Hyoung Chang/Denver Post/Getty Images Travelers arrive at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport on December 21. Alex Kormann/Star Tribune/AP Salt is prepared to be loaded onto a truck at the Department of Public Works sanitation yard in Milwaukee on December 21. Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel/AP Propane heaters sit next to pens at the City of Mission Animal Shelter in Mission, Texas, on December 21. Joel Martinez/The Monitor/AP Crews de-ice a Southwest Airlines plane before takeoff in Omaha, Nebraska, on December 21. Chris Machian/Omaha World-Herald/AP An Iowa Department of Transportation plow clears a road in Iowa City on December 21. Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press Citizen/AP Snow covers homes in Seattle on December 20. Daniel Kim/The Seattle Times/AP In pictures: Winter storm impacts the US Prev Next

A power grid operator for at least 13 states in the country’s eastern half asked customers to conserve power and set thermostats lower than usual from early Saturday to 10 a.m. on Sunday because usage was straining capacity.

The operator, PJM Interconnection, serves about 65 million people in all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The operator warned rolling blackouts could happen if the strain becomes too much.

In New York, utility companies Con Edison and Natural Grid US also urged customers to conserve energy, citing extreme weather conditions and increased energy demand on interstate pipelines carrying natural gas into the city.

Meanwhile, a shortage of electricity in Texas prompted the US Department of Energy to declare an emergency Friday, allowing the state’s energy provider to exceed environmental emissions standards until energy usage drops.

In Jackson, Mississippi, frigid temperatures are hampering efforts to repair a large water main break late Saturday, which has caused a loss in water pressure for residents, city officials said.

“We are grateful to the crews who are braving these frigid temperatures on this Christmas Eve night, while working to restore pressure to residents. Their sacrifice does not go unnoticed and is appreciated not only by this administration, but also by every resident who is affected,” the release stated.

The brutal weather conditions have also snarled travel during the busy holiday weekend, with more than 5,000 flights canceled Friday, more than 3,400 flights canceled Saturday, and more than 2,800 canceled for Christmas Day.

Dangerous weather conditions claim lives

Snow covers a vehicle on December 24, 2022, in Hamburg, New York. John Normile/Getty Images

Out of the 17 weather-related fatalities recorded across New York, 16 were in Erie County, officials said, and one was a fatal carbon monoxide poisoning reported in Niagara County, according to the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office.

Blistering blizzard conditions swept the region, and Poloncarz, the county executive, said about 500 motorists found themselves stranded in their vehicles Friday night into Saturday morning, despite a county driving ban put in place during the storm.

National Guard troops had been called in to help “rescue people that are stuck in vehicles,” he said.

Of the deaths reported early Sunday – with individuals ranging in age from 26 to 93 years of age – “some were found in cars and some were found actually on the street in snow banks,” Poloncarz said.

Two died in separate incidents Friday night when emergency medical personnel could not get to their homes in time for medical emergencies, Poloncarz said Saturday morning. Details about a third death, confirmed by a county spokesperson Saturday afternoon, weren’t immediately available.

“The loss of two lives in Buffalo – storm related – because people were not able to get to medical attention, is again a crisis situation that unfolds before your eyes and you realize that lifesaving ambulances and emergency medical personnel cannot get to people during a blizzard situation,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Saturday.

Hochul said she will ask the federal government “for a declaration of emergency that’ll allow us to seek reimbursements for the extraordinary expenses of all the overtime and the fact that we brought in mutual aid from other parts of the state.”

Powerful winter storm leaves first responders in need of rescue, official says 01:49 - Source: CNN

Other storm-related deaths have been reported in the country. They include:

• Colorado: Police in Colorado Springs, Colorado, reported two deaths related to the cold since Thursday, with one man found near a power transformer of a building possibly looking for warmth, and another in a camp in an alleyway.

• Kansas: Three people have died in weather-related traffic accidents, the Kansas Highway Patrol said Friday.

• Kentucky: Three people have died in the state, officials have said, including one involving a vehicle crash in Montgomery County.

• Missouri: One person died after a caravan slid off an icy road and into a frozen creek, Kansas City police said.

• Ohio: Nine people have died as a result of weather-related auto crashes, including four in a Saturday morning crash on Interstate 75, when a semi tractor-trailer crossed the median and collided with an SUV and a pickup, authorities said.

• Tennessee: The Tennessee Department of Health on Friday confirmed one storm-related fatality.

• Wisconsin: Wisconsin State Patrol on Thursday reported one fatal crash due to winter weather.

What to expect as the storm slowly weakens and hazardous conditions continue

Strong winds behind the arctic cold front that pushed through this week will lead to lake-effect snow and blizzard conditions at times across portions of the Great Lakes on Sunday.

Blizzard warnings, winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories blanket much of the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes region and Ohio Valley.

An additional 8 to 16 inches of lake-effect snow is possible.

The storm system is forecast to gradually weaken as it lifts into southeastern Canada, moving slowly during the next couple of days and pulling arctic air from Canada down into much of the eastern side of the country.

The Arctic blast will slowly moderate into Monday.

The cold temperatures combined with dangerous wind chills will create a potentially life-threatening hazard for travelers who become stranded, people who work outside, livestock and pets, according to the National Weather Service.

“In some areas, being outdoors could lead to frostbite in minutes,” the Weather Service warned.

As the frigid air continues to blast the warm waters of the Great Lakes, lake-effect snows and blizzard conditions are expected to continue, but slowly become less intense.

Still, strong gusty winds initially up to 60 mph accompanying the snow downwind from the Great Lakes will continue to make for extremely dangerous conditions on the road.

By Christmas night into Monday, another low pressure system coming from the Pacific will deliver the next surge of moisture toward the Pacific Northwest and then into northern California, according to the Weather Service.