Violent Severe Storm Kills 10, Causes Power Outages, Impedes Travel Throughout South to Midwest US

The Northeast was targeted on Friday and Saturday by a violent severe storm that recently passed through the South and Midwest US, killing ten people. On Saturday, hundreds of thousands of consumers lost power as a result. Travel conditions are also reportedly challenging.

Violent Severe Storm Kills 10

A woman died in Mississippi after a tree branch struck her SUV; a man drowned in Arkansas when he attempted to drive through floodwaters; two people reportedly perished in Tennessee from falling trees; and in Kentucky, three deaths related to weather were also reported. In Alabama, downed trees took three lives.

Residents in Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and Kentucky discovered homes and businesses damaged by tree branches and reported tornadoes. Some residents reported having no access to a water supply.

Power Outages, Blocked Travel Routes

Flooding occurred in both Missouri and Arkansas as a result of heavy rain.

Following the severe weather, the National Weather Service described the storm as "powerful and historic." PowerOutage.US revealed that more than 419,000 customers were without power.

Additionally, 133,271 customers in Tennessee and 346,639 customers in Michigan lost power.

Due to the rapidly deteriorating conditions, the Detroit Metropolitan Airport was forced to close on Friday. Recent bad weather has severely affected Michigan, leaving many residences in the dark and freezing cold.

Due to the significant snowfall in Indiana, the National Weather Service reported dangerous driving conditions and car accidents.

Portland, Maine's airport authorities have canceled several flights, and some companies have announced closings as the storm moves toward New England.

Strong winds, up to 18 inches of snowfall, and coastal flooding are predicted for Rhode Island and Massachusetts. However, by the end of the week, warmer weather is anticipated to return, FOX News reports.

Winter Storm Warning

South-central New Hampshire and southwestern Maine will endure an extended period of locally heavy snowfall rates through this morning due to a winter storm that is currently tracking offshore of southern New England. Then, as low pressure builds offshore, snowfall rates will briefly increase late in the morning before temporarily decreasing late this afternoon.

Along the coasts of Maine and New Hampshire, wet snow may also fall. Along the coastal plain as well as the interior, strong gusty winds are also anticipated. This could result in power outages when combined with wet snow, and in localized whiteout conditions when combined with dry snow, National Weather Service reports.

Health and Weather

The light to heavy snowfall, along with the cold temperature in New Hampshire is elevating some triggers to high levels. This includes triggers for arthritis, sinus pressure, and the common cold, which are at very high levels. Triggers for flu are at high levels, while migraine triggers are at moderate levels.

Although triggers for arthritis and common cold will ease the next day to moderate levels, triggers for sinus pressure will remain on high levels for another day and slightly ease to high levels until next Friday, March 10, AccuWeather reports.