Flight cancellations, power cut, and flood alert issued as strong storms arrive in USA’s Washington DC area

Thousands of fligths were cancelled or delayed, electricity was shut, schools were closes, and people were asked to stay indoors as the US prepared for one of its worst weather events in near time.

THe weather forecast agency on Monday warned of destructively strong storms, including tornadoes, hail and lightning, and residents were warned to stay indoors and prepare for the worst.

Also read: Haze, heat and storms are bringing danger and discomfort to many parts of the US

In evening the rain began falling in the Washington area shortly after 5 pm, and the skies gradually turned an ominous dark gray, a precursor to the severe weather and mass power outages that were predicted.

Tornado threat in Washington

The national weather service issued a tornado watch for the greater DC area till 9 pm. There was also flood warning till Tuesday morning. The weather service also warned of destructive hurricane-force winds along with the potential for large hail and tornadoes, even strong tornadoes.”

Also Read: US: Over 900 flights cancelled, 3,165 delayed due to strong storms, flash floods

The storms' spread was massive, with tornado watches and warnings posted across 10 states from Tennessee to New York. The National Weather Service said the area of greatest concern centred in the Washington-Baltimore region.

Flights cancellation

By Monday afternoon, more than 1,300 US flights had been cancelled and more than 5,500 flights were delayed, reported AP citing data from FlightAware. There were large number of cancellations from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which was digging out from disruptions caused by Sunday storms.

Also Read: At least 26 dead after tornadoes rake US Midwest, South

The Federal Aviation Administration said that it was changing the route of planes around storms heading to the East Coast. In case of adverse situation, it has warned of pausing flights in and out of the New York City area, Philadelphia.

President Joe Biden's departure on a four-day trip pushed up by 90 minutes

The White House pushed up by 90 minutes PResident Joe Biden's departure on a four-day trip that's taking him to Arizona New Mexico and Utah. There were other cancellations of programmes and events that featured first lady Jill Biden, who is a teacher, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and school administrators, educators and education technology providers from around the country.

Power outage

By early evening, more than 5.8 lakh customers were under darkness across Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Tennessee and Virginia due to the harsh weather. The Knoxville Utilities Board tweeted that the damage across its service area in Tennessee was “widespread and extensive” and will likely take several days to repair.

Dominion Energy reported nearly 15,000 people without power in Loudoun County, Virginia, west of D.C. And Pepco, a power company serving Washington and its suburbs, reported outages affecting more than 2,000 people.

“This does look to be one of the most impactful severe weather events across the Mid-Atlantic that we have had in some time,” National Weather Service meteorologist Chris Strong said in a Facebook live briefing.

The storms are expected to strike in late afternoon, warned the weather forecasting agency. Due to this, federal workers needs to be sent home early so they wouldn't be in their cars amid wind, hail and tornadoes.