On Tuesday, powerful storms battered both the East and West coasts of the United States, with California facing severe flooding and the Northeast bracing for a significant nor’easter, according to forecasts.
The National Weather Service predicted a major nor’easter would impact the Northeast through Wednesday. By Tuesday afternoon, 22 million people were under winter alerts, and power outages had surged from 136,900 in the morning to 270,273 by 3 p.m., as reported by PowerOutage.us.
Forecasters warned of 2 to 3 inches of precipitation per hour, strong winds, and travel hazards. Snow accumulations could reach 12 inches or more in parts of New England and upstate New York, with some areas potentially seeing up to 30 inches.
Massachusetts towns, including Rowe, Windsor, and Ashby, reported over 2 feet of snow by Tuesday afternoon. Vermont saw 14 to 28 inches, and northwestern Connecticut had around 17 inches. Maine and New Hampshire faced up to a foot of snow, leading to road closures and urging residents to stay home.
California National Guard assists in water rescues as severe flooding engulfs the town of Pajaro, following a major levee breach.Dangerous road conditions resulted in numerous crashes and power outages across the Northeast. New Hampshire alone reported over 120 accidents by noon. Connecticut saw injuries from a tree falling on a plow truck, and significant outages hit New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts.
Air travel was heavily impacted, with over 3,300 flights delayed and nearly 1,000 canceled. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency and warned of potential fatalities and significant power losses.
On the West Coast, California prepared for “catastrophic” flooding due to excessive rainfall and snowmelt. With 26 million under flood alerts, the state faced severe flash flooding risks, especially in low-elevation areas and those with shallow snowpacks. The storm threatened lives and property, with strong winds and more flooding expected through Wednesday.
The severe weather followed a weekend of significant flooding and winds. California National Guard members and other first responders conducted over 200 rescues in the Salinas area. Monterey County, heavily affected, saw a 300-foot levee breach in Pajaro, prompting evacuations.
In addition, a tornado touched down near Yosemite National Park, further complicating the already severe weather conditions.