A powerful storm system with tornadoes and squall winds caused significant damage to infrastructure in several southern US states. Tens of thousands of households were left without power, and a new storm is expected to hit the West Coast. Learn more about the extent of the damage, the situation in the affected regions, and meteorologists' forecasts

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The southern United States was hit by a massive storm system accompanied by tornadoes, squalls, and heavy rains. The storm affected several states at once — Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida — leaving tens of thousands of people without electricity.

Read on to learn more about the extent of the damage, the situation in other regions of the country, and the threat of a new storm on the West Coast.

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Which states were affected by tornadoes and squalls?

The storm system covered a significant part of the southeastern coast of the United States. Tornadoes, torrential rains, and gusts of wind affected the territory from Louisiana to Florida, causing serious damage to residential buildings, transport, and energy infrastructure. The worst situation was recorded in Louisiana, specifically in the Lake Charles area. There, the wind overturned heavy equipment, tore down metal structures, and damaged a bridge near the local airport. In addition, the storm destroyed platforms set up for the Mardi Gras festival.

The National Weather Service reported numerous cases of fallen power poles. Private homes were damaged by debris from metal structures torn from roofs by the wind. The scale of the destruction in Louisiana was the greatest among all the affected states, and local rescue services continue to assess the damage. In Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida, the storm also caused significant damage, although to a lesser extent.

How many people were left without power after the storm in the US?

Downed power lines were one of the most noticeable consequences of the storm for residents of the southern states. According to the monitoring resource PowerOutage.us, approximately 11,000 consumers in Texas lost power. In northern Florida, the number of households without power exceeded 9,000. Utility crews were quickly dispatched to the sites of accidents to restore power and clear roads of fallen trees and structures.

Despite significant material damage, there were no reports of fatalities or serious injuries at the time of publication. However, the threat of tornadoes persisted throughout the weekend in parts of the Florida Panhandle, complicating rescue and inspection efforts. Emergency services urged residents of the affected areas to follow safety precautions and avoid traveling unless absolutely necessary.

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Weather in the northeastern United States: warming after abnormal cold

In parallel with the aftermath of the storm in the south, the northeastern states are experiencing completely different weather dynamics.

Boston and a number of other cities in the region are gradually emerging from an abnormally cold winter, which has been one of the harshest in the last decade. Meteorologists are recording a trend toward rising air temperatures, which are approaching seasonal norms for this time of year.

This warming should reduce the load on the energy infrastructure of the northeast, which has been under severe pressure during the winter months. Electricity consumption for heating is gradually decreasing, allowing utilities to move on to scheduled maintenance and preparations for the spring season.

A new winter storm threatens California

Against the backdrop of events in the south and east of the country, the US West Coast is preparing for its own weather challenges. Meteorological services have issued warnings about a powerful winter storm approaching California. Residents of the state are advised to prepare for heavy rains, intense snowfall in mountainous areas, and strong gusts of wind.

Experts warn that the storm could cause new power outages and significantly complicate traffic on the state's highways. Local authorities have already begun preventive measures and are urging residents to monitor updates from meteorological services and stock up on necessary supplies in case of an emergency.

Natural disasters such as this storm remind us of the importance of quality medical insurance when traveling abroad. Injuries caused by bad weather, unpredictable road conditions, or health problems may require urgent medical care, which is extremely expensive in the United States.

The Visit World portal offers convenient travel medical insurance that covers a wide range of risks and provides financial protection in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Get medical insurance at Visit World — take care of your safety in advance!

Reminder! The United States is a country of scale, contrasts, and dreams. It has everything: from natural wonders and ancient canyons to never-sleeping metropolises and iconic architectural masterpieces. Here we tell you about 20 US landmarks that are definitely worth seeing with your own eyes.

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