Severe Storms Ravage Eastern US, Causing Fatalities and Destruction

ALPENA, Mich. — A powerful storm swept through the Eastern US on Monday, threatening millions and causing extensive destruction across several states. The storm system, which began wreaking havoc over the weekend, has been linked to at least seven fatalities and numerous injuries.

In Kalamazoo County, Michigan, three children were tragically killed when a tree fell on their vehicle late Sunday afternoon. The victims, aged 2, 4, and 11, were identified as siblings and their cousin, according to a sheriff’s office release. “It was a terrible scene to witness and respond to,” Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller stated.

Another fatality was reported in Stockbridge Township, Michigan, where a 57-year-old man succumbed to injuries sustained when a tree collapsed onto his home. Stockbridge Police Chief Matthew Bartus confirmed this to CNN. Earlier that day, a semi-truck driver was killed in Valparaiso, Indiana, as powerful winds gusted to 80 mph, overturning his vehicle.

In addition, an accident involving an Amish buggy in Middlebury, Indiana, resulted in another death when strong winds tipped the buggy, causing trauma to its occupants. Over in Oklahoma’s Cherokee County, a storm-induced tree fall on a trailer resulted in a man’s death.

The severe weather conditions have left more than 400,000 homes and businesses without power, with the majority of outages recorded in Michigan. The aftermath of severe thunderstorms and icy conditions has particularly affected southern Michigan.

As the storms progressed into Monday, heavy rains and hail were reported throughout the Southeast. Atlanta’s metro area faced a significant hit following the arrival of the storm system around noon, which resulted in a ground stop at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Over 800 flights were delayed across the country.

The Federal Aviation Administration noted similar disruptions at Charlotte Douglas International Airport due to the ongoing severe weather. As of Monday evening, FlightAware reported over 9,000 delayed flights and more than 800 cancellations nationwide, with significant impacts at Boston Logan and Newark Liberty airports.

The Storm Prediction Center has issued a level 3 of 5 risk alert, warning of potential damaging winds, hail, and possible tornadoes extending from Georgia to North Carolina. These storms pose a flooding risk as they migrate across the same areas.

Throughout Sunday, tornado sightings were confirmed in seven states, including Michigan, and hail reports exceeded 200, some hailstones reaching the size of baseballs. As officials continue to assess the damage, residents remain urged to stay vigilant.

In Michigan, Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for ten counties in response to the widespread outages and dangerous conditions. Local officials reported a backlog of storm damage reports, with more than 130 assessments logged by late Sunday.

This year’s tornado season has already outpaced last year’s, with approximately 300 tornado reports so far. Meteorologists predict that this cycle of severe storms is likely to continue, with new storm systems forming in Texas and the Midwest in the coming days.

Emergency services advise residents in affected areas to remain alert for weather updates and to have emergency plans in place should the severe weather return overnight.