DALLAS, TX – A relentless series of storms is sweeping across the central and eastern United States, leaving a trail of devastation from Texas through Pennsylvania to New York. More than 50 million people remain under severe weather alerts as the storms, characterized by violent winds and large hail, continue to wreak havoc.
In North Texas, a bolt of lightning ignited a fire, setting a home ablaze while trapping drivers beneath fallen power lines. Remarkably, the residents managed to escape unharmed. The supercell storms have unleashed winds exceeding 100 mph, toppling structures and leading to numerous accidents in Oklahoma City.
In Pennsylvania, a state of emergency has been declared near Pittsburgh. The severe weather has downed trees, causing widespread power outages and resulting in fatalities. At least one person was killed by a falling tree, and two others were electrocuted by downed lines. Dramatic footage shows a driver trapped under power lines, highlighting the perilous conditions.
The storms have continued to batter the Plains for a third consecutive night. In Norman, Oklahoma, torrential rain transformed roads into rivers, complicating the morning commute. Meanwhile, in Oklahoma City, a mother and her two children narrowly escaped a fire caused by lightning, suffering only minor injuries.
South of the affected areas, communities near Wichita Falls, Texas, have been pounded by baseball-sized hail and destructive winds. The same weather system has also struck Pennsylvania, leaving hundreds of thousands without power in the Pittsburgh area. Authorities in several boroughs have declared states of emergency as they grapple with the aftermath.
In State College, Pennsylvania, a driver remained trapped in a car under power lines, advised by emergency services to stay put for safety. Tragically, the storm has claimed at least four lives in the state, including two individuals who were electrocuted.
As the chaos unfolds, air travel has been severely disrupted, with over 850 flights canceled nationwide, predominantly affecting Dallas-area airports. Severe weather watches remain in effect, particularly east of Dallas.
Meteorologists warn that the severe conditions are far from over. The storm system is expected to persist, bringing threats of damaging winds, large hail, and flash flooding. Areas in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas have already experienced up to six inches of rain, marking the wettest April on record for Oklahoma. The severe weather is anticipated to extend eastward into the Ohio Valley, impacting regions from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati and down to Texas.