Storm Hits Central and Eastern US: Flights Cancelled, Warnings for Flash Floods, Thunderstorms, and Tornadoes Issued

The major storm system in the United States that has been developing over recent days has turned into a multi-hazard and cross-country weather phenomenon.

The storm has already caused widespread, chaotic travel disruption and life-threatening risks in multiple states across the country.

Plowing through Central US, the large-scale storm continues to head towards the Eastern US-bringing multiple severe weather phenomena, including torrential rain, flooding, heavy snow, and strong winds.

Thousands of flights have been canceled and road traffic disruptions have been reported in major routes.

The US weather authorities have issued multiple severe weather warnings for flash floods, thunderstorms, and tornadoes in different areas.

So far, there were no immediate reports of casualties amid the storm, which is expected to continue at least in the coming hours or days.

US meteorologists are considering it as a record-breaking storm due to its effect in some areas across the US that have not been seen in decades, including the thick accumulation of snowfall and the current damage it has brought.

Thousands of Flights Cancelled and Delayed

More than 1,000 domestic and international flights across the US have been canceled and over 4,000 flights have been delayed due to the raging storm, as per the FlightAware tracker website.

Based on the latest weather forecasts, further cancellations or delays are expected.

The most affected airports are the Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago, Illinois; and the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) in Romulus, Michigan.

Due to the persisting storm, flight disruptions are likely to affect other airports across the US.

Road Traffic Movement Disrupted

The severe weather has made it nearly impossible for a normal road traffic movement in some parts of Central US, as per AccuWeather.

There have been multiple incidents reported of disruption along major roads and highways in several states and they are the following:

• Kansas - A highway patrol trooper got into an accident along the eastbound of Interstate 70 in the Wichita area. In addition, Kansas City experienced slow traffic on the morning of Thursday, Feb. 17.
• Missouri - A snowstorm vehicles were stuck on the northbound of Route 61 in Hannibal.
• Indiana - Another snowstorm caused a multi-vehicle pileup along Interstate 65.

Warnings for Flash Floods, Thunderstorms, and Tornadoes

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flash flood warning in the Ohio Valley for Thursday.

In Ohio, emergency operations for high water and swift water rescues were deployed in Vermilion.

Due to a reported ice jam near Lake Erie, the river water level has increased dramatically.

The NOAA - NWS issued advice to the public to avoid traversing flooded roads to avoid getting drowned.

In Mississippi, the US weather authorities issued a tornado warning for areas north of the state capital city of Jackson on Thursday, Feb. 17.

The warning was issued due to the intensification of the severe weather brought by the major storm system.

Furthermore, additional tornado warnings are possible in Nashville, Tennessee; Jackson, Mississippi; and Huntsville, Alabama.

In Tennessee, strong winds and severe weather prompted some schools to be closed. A large part of the state went under tornado or severe thunderstorm warnings.