Severe Weather Across Midwest and Appalachia Leaves One Dead, Thousands Without Power

Several states in the Midwest, Great Plains, and Appalachia experienced severe weather on Tuesday, March 2, resulting in one death and widespread power outages. Here's a breakdown of the impact in each region:

Three suspected tornadoes hit northern Oklahoma, while over a foot of snow was expected in Wisconsin. A strong weather system with heavy rains produced the tornadoes in northeastern Oklahoma, which unfortunately led to the death of a homeless woman in Tulsa. The storms also caused flooding and trapped two people under a bridge in Ohio. In southern Ohio, severe hail and winds wreaked havoc, causing damage to mobile homes and leaving residents in fear.

Far southwest Indiana experienced severe storms that toppled trees and caused power outages, resulting in the cancellation of classes in several local school districts. The weather also affected Kentucky, prompting Gov. Andy Beshear to declare a state of emergency due to substantial damage to structures.

Appalachia

West Virginia was heavily impacted, with about 140,000 customers remaining without electricity, which accounted for approximately 14% of the state's total customers. The severe storms blew off part of a building's roof in downtown Charleston, creating hazardous conditions on the roads. The state was also put on tornado watch, leading residents to take precautions.

Wisconsin residents were warned about an upcoming spring snowstorm that could bring over a foot of snow in some areas, along with strong wind gusts. Meanwhile, Memphis, Tennessee, experienced power outages after an electric substation was struck by lightning, affecting thousands of homes and businesses.

Preparedness and Response

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation in each affected state and urging residents to stay weather aware. Governors have declared states of emergency to ensure resources are readily available to handle the aftermath of the severe weather. Utility companies are working to restore power to the affected areas, while forecasters are providing updates and warnings to help residents prepare for the continuing severe weather.