Deadly Storms Sweep U.S., Causing Chaos and Destruction

Yesterday at 11:13 pm

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Deadly Storms Sweep U.S., Causing Chaos and Destruction \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A massive storm system unleashed deadly tornadoes, high winds, and blizzard conditions across the U.S., killing two people in Mississippi and leaving hundreds of thousands without power. The storms tore roofs off buildings in Oklahoma, fueled wildfires in Texas, and caused blizzard warnings in the Midwest. Meanwhile, New Orleans’ Mardi Gras celebrations were disrupted as officials shortened parades due to dangerous winds.

Deadly Storms & Extreme Weather Quick Looks

Two people were killed in Mississippi due to the severe storms, including a driver struck by a fallen tree.
Tornadoes hit Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, causing widespread damage and overturning vehicles.
More than 350,000 people lost power across multiple states, with Texas and Alabama hardest hit.
Blizzard conditions in the Midwest brought whiteout conditions and forced school closures in Minnesota and South Dakota.
San Antonio saw evacuations due to grass fires, with Texas battling 13 active wildfires.
Flights were disrupted nationwide, with over 500 cancellations, mainly affecting Dallas airports.
New Orleans’ Mardi Gras celebrations were altered, with parade routes shortened due to high winds.
Concerns rise over storm forecasting after Trump’s federal workforce cuts affected National Weather Service meteorologists.
Des Moines, Iowa, saw wind gusts up to 65 mph, an unusual occurrence for the region.

Deep Look

Mississippi Sees Deadly Storms & Devastating Damage

At least two people lost their lives in Mississippi as powerful storms tore through the state.

One victim was killed by a falling power line in Madison County.
A driver was crushed when a tree fell on their car.

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves confirmed the fatalities but provided few details on the extent of the damage.

Meanwhile, across the Southeast and South-Central U.S., communities braced for further severe weather, with powerful winds, flooding, and tornadoes still a possibility.

Tornadoes & Hurricane-Force Winds Batter the South

The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed multiple tornadoes across Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana.

In Irving, Texas, a tornado with 110 mph winds left homes and buildings heavily damaged.
In Ada, Oklahoma, another tornado tore through the town of 16,000 residents, damaging homes and businesses.
Northern Louisiana saw two tornadoes, one packing 93 mph winds, causing extensive damage in Caddo Parish.

Hundreds of Thousands Without Power Amid Widespread Destruction

As the storm system ripped through Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Tennessee, widespread power outages followed:

178,000 homes in Texas lost power.
88,000 outages hit Alabama, with 23,000 in Louisiana and 18,000 in Mississippi.
High winds up to 70 mph fueled the destruction, tearing off roofs, toppling trees, and damaging power lines.

Texas Wildfires Spark Evacuations Amid High Winds

Strong winds didn’t just bring tornadoes—they fueled wildfires in Texas, forcing mandatory evacuations.

San Antonio officials ordered 30 homes evacuated after grass fires erupted south of the city.
The Texas A&M Forest Service reported 13 active wildfires statewide.

In North Texas, severe storms damaged apartments and schools:

The Las Haciendas Apartments in Irving lost brick siding and windows to high winds.
Plano High School lost parts of its metal roof due to hurricane-force gusts.
Three RV trailers were overturned in Parker County, Texas.

Blizzard Conditions Hit the Midwest, Making Travel Treacherous

The storm system didn’t just bring tornadoes and wildfires—it also triggered blizzards and whiteout conditions across the Midwest and Central Plains.

Minnesota schools announced closures, with 5 to 11 inches of snow expected.
South Dakota roads deteriorated quickly, with winds over 50 mph causing near-zero visibility.
Parts of Interstate 29 in North Dakota were shut down as dangerous conditions worsened.
Des Moines, Iowa, saw wind gusts of 65 mph, an extremely rare occurrence.

Jay Jones, a truck stop employee in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, described the worsening weather:

“Garbage cans are flying everywhere. It looks really bad out there.”

Mardi Gras in New Orleans Faces Storm Disruptions

New Orleans, known for its lively Mardi Gras celebrations, had to adjust plans due to the approaching storms.

Parades were shortened and moved up to avoid the worst of the weather.
High winds forced restrictions on umbrellas and tents, preventing flying debris from causing injuries.
Jefferson Parish canceled all planned parades due to the severe weather threat.

However, some revelers remained unfazed.

Shalaska Jones, who attended Mardi Gras with her 2-year-old daughter, said:

“We was coming out, rain, sleet, or snow.”

Others, like Ashley Luna, were determined to keep celebrating:

“The weather can always change. I’m not really worried about it.”

Concerns Over Weather Forecasting After Trump’s Government Cuts

This storm system also marked one of the first major weather events since Trump’s federal workforce cuts eliminated hundreds of National Weather Service meteorologists.

Experts warn that fewer forecasters could delay storm warnings, putting lives at risk.
It remains unclear whether the firings affected forecasts for this storm, but concerns are growing.

Flights Canceled, Travel Disruptions Mount

The storms disrupted air travel nationwide, with over 500 flight cancellations reported.

Dallas-Fort Worth airports saw the highest number of cancellations.
Delays rippled across the country as severe weather grounded flights.

Conclusion: A Storm System With Lasting Impact

This destructive and fast-moving storm system has left communities reeling, from tornado-ravaged Texas towns to snow-covered Midwest highways.

Two people have died.
Thousands have lost power.
Wildfires continue to burn in Texas.
Air travel remains heavily affected.

With extreme weather continuing to escalate, experts warn that more dangerous storms could be on the way—testing the ability of local governments and the underfunded National Weather Service to keep people safe.