Winter storm kills two, causes, blizzards, tornados, and floods

A motorist adjusts their windshield wipers near Saddle Creek Road and Leavenworth Street during a blizzard warning in Omaha, Neb., Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (Chris Machian/Omaha World-Herald via AP)

Powerful storms tore through the central U.S. on Tuesday, leaving two dead in Mississippi and damaging buildings in Oklahoma.

Tornadoes ripped through Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, while high winds disrupted Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans.

Storms Threaten the Eastern U.S.

On Wednesday, the severe weather continued eastward. A tornado watch was issued for parts of North and South Carolina, with warnings in Florida and South Carolina. Forecasters also warned of a Pacific storm set to bring heavy rain and mountain snow to California and the West through Friday.

Damage from the roof that was sheered off by high by winds sits in front of Plano West High School Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Plano, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dangerous Travel Conditions in the Midwest

Blizzard conditions hit parts of southern Minnesota, creating hazardous travel. In Nebraska, officials shut down a 130-mile stretch of Interstate 80 due to low visibility. Strong winds and heavy snow slowed traffic across the Twin Cities, southern Minnesota, and western Wisconsin.

Widespread Power Outages and Flight Cancellations

The storms left hundreds of thousands without power. Over 111,000 customers in Texas, 54,000 in Tennessee, and 53,000 in Alabama were in the dark by Wednesday morning. Air travel also suffered, with nearly 500 flight cancellations nationwide, mainly affecting the East Coast.

More Extreme Weather Ahead

Forecasters warn that the storm system will continue impacting millions across the country. As communities recover, more severe weather could be on the way.

Herbert Bauernebel

Herbert Bauernebel has been reporting from New York since 1999 and currently works for Bild.de, OE24 TV, and US Live. He also runs the news portal AmerikaReport.de. Bauernebel has covered nearly all major US events of the past quarter-century, including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Barack Obama’s election, Donald Trump’s surprise victory, the pandemic, last year’s election showdown, as well as natural disasters such as hurricanes and oil spills. He has also reported firsthand on international events, including the Asian tsunami, the Haiti earthquake, and the Fukushima disaster. He lives in Brooklyn with his family and holds degrees in communication and political science from the University of Vienna. Bauernebel is the author of a book about his experiences on 9/11, And the Air Was Full of Ash: 9/11 – The Day That Changed My Life.