Severe storms ravaged the central and southeast U.S. late Tuesday and Wednesday, resulting in tornadoes, hail, and the loss of three lives in Tennessee and North Carolina. A man in Tennessee was killed after a tree fell on his car due to high winds, while a tornado emergency was issued for an area south of Nashville. Several injuries were reported in Columbia, Tennessee, where homes were damaged and five patients were taken to the hospital, with one fatality. Flash flooding also occurred in Sumner and Robertson counties in Tennessee, leading to a temporary ground stop at Nashville International Airport and ongoing water rescues.
In North Carolina, a state of emergency was declared in Gaston County following a large storm, resulting in downed power lines, broken trees, and one fatality after a tree fell on a car. More than 135,000 customers lost power in the state. Tornadoes were confirmed in several counties in Ohio, and Michigan experienced tornadoes in Kalamazoo, Cass, and Branch counties, leading to a state of emergency being declared in four counties in Michigan. A FedEx facility in Kalamazoo County was destroyed, and more than a dozen mobile homes were damaged.
Southern Indiana also experienced a tornado, with the storm damaging 24 structures, including homes in a subdivision north of Sellersburg. Tornadoes were confirmed in Pennsylvania, central Arkansas, and northern West Virginia. Baseball-sized hail was reported in the St. Louis area, causing damage and flash flooding in areas just southwest of the city. The Midwest and the South are expected to continue facing severe weather throughout the week, affecting cities like Indianapolis, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Nashville, and Memphis.
The entire week is expected to remain stormy across the U.S., with the Midwest and the South bearing the brunt of the severe weather. Cities with a combined population of over 21 million people are expected to be impacted by the ongoing storms. The Plains and the Midwest have experienced multiple tornadoes this spring, with the recent storms causing widespread damage and destruction. Despite the devastation, many communities are rallying together to help those affected by the severe weather, demonstrating resilience and support in the face of natural disasters.
