NEW ORLEANS – A series of powerful storms on Tuesday wreaked havoc in parts of the United States, tearing off roofs from structures in Oklahoma and posing threats across the country with diverse weather challenges ranging from fires in the Southern High Plains to blizzards in the Midwest.
The southwest experienced blinding dust storms, the South faced possibilities of tornadoes, and blizzard conditions set upon the Central Plains. In New Orleans, the anticipated high winds led to adjustments in Mardi Gras celebrations, with the city opting to move up and shorten its largest parades to avoid the oncoming gusts.
Unfazed by these alterations, Shalaska Jones and her young daughter remained hopeful for catching one of the cherished coconuts tossed by the Mardi Gras floats. “We was coming out rain, sleet or snow,” declared Jones, exemplifying the spirit of celebration amidst the weather threats.
These severe weather conditions posed a significant test for the National Weather Service, which recently saw hundreds of forecasters dismissed following a decision by President Donald Trump aimed at reducing federal government size. Although the long-term impacts on storm forecasts and warnings remain uncertain, former employees have raised concerns about risks to public safety.
Early Tuesday, storms swept through Texas and Oklahoma with high winds and rainfall, overturning tractor-trailers and causing significant roof damage. Power outages hit hard, affecting nearly 400,000 customers in Texas and approximately 25,000 in Oklahoma. The situation in Ada, a small 16,000-strong city in Oklahoma, involved probable tornado activity that tore off rooftops and led to a line of thunderstorms. Emergency management director Jeff Rollins of Byng reported no immediate injuries following the incident.
According to the National Weather Service, the week’s forecast includes a mix of blizzard conditions, violent winds, flash floods, severe storms, dust phenomena, and dangerous fire weather in central regions of the country. The Central Plains and Midwest brace for conditions that could drastically reduce visibility and complicate travel, with Nebraska officials urging caution for Tuesday afternoon and night.
Des Moines, Iowa, was expected to experience gusts of up to 65 mph—a rare event according to local meteorologist Craig Cogil, who noted similar occurrences over the past decades were infrequent. Around the midsection of the U.S., these formidable weather systems had the potential to unleash tornadoes, damaging winds, and hefty hailstones, especially from east Texas to Alabama, posing a threat to cities like Baton Rouge, Jackson, and Mobile.
On a national level, around 400 flights were canceled amidst these conditions, with Dallas airports seeing the highest number of flight disruptions.
Mardi Gras celebrations were impacted as well, with New Orleans officials like Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick advising parade attendees against using umbrellas or tents, citing the potential hazards they could cause when airborne. Meanwhile, Jefferson Parish had to cancel its Mardi Gras parades due to the stormy forecasts.
The National Weather Service warned of Mardi Gras floats potentially becoming unstable in the expected heavy winds, which had the potential to knock down trees and power lines. In Pointe Coupee Parish, near Baton Rouge, the impending weather resulted in a notable alteration of one of the state’s longest-standing Mardi Gras traditions, with parades having to forgo marching bands and dance ensembles. Officials preemptively altered the parade schedule and emphasized rapid clean-up to mitigate risks posed by the approaching storm.
