Aug. 7 (UPI) — The federal government in Washington, D.C., closed early Monday, as more than 120 million Americans living in the eastern United States brace for severe thunderstorms, damaging winds and tornadoes through Monday night.
“Employees should depart 2 hours earlier than their normal departure time,” the U.S. Office of Personnel Management warned in an urgent message to federal workers. “All employees must depart no later than 3:00 at which time federal offices are closed.”
In addition to heavy rain and wind gusts up to 80 miles per hour, the National Weather Service is predicting large hail and the possibility of tornadoes between Philadelphia and Atlanta, which could impact more than 40 million people.
“There are currently 5 tornado watches and 2 severe thunderstorm watches currently in effect, stretching from Alabama to New York,” the National Weather Service wrote in a post on X, the social-media platform formerly known as Twitter, Monday afternoon. “The severe weather threat will continue throughout the afternoon and evening.”
There are currently 5 Tornado Watches and 2 Severe Thunderstorm Watches currently in effect, stretching from AL to NY. The severe weather threat will continue throughout the afternoon and evening. Information about individual watches can be found at https://t.co/IUIXQmr3Fo pic.twitter.com/sHu4Usm8E7— NWS Storm Prediction Center (@NWSSPC) August 7, 2023
The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center said Monday’s weather has the potential for a very high-impact event, as it declared the risk of severe storms for parts of the Mid-Atlantic region a Level 4 out of 5. That is the first time since June of 2013, that Washington, D.C., has been included in a Level 4 risk.
The areas facing the greatest risk are Washington, D.C., Baltimore and much of the Appalachians into Tennessee.
As of Monday afternoon, there were no reports of any damage due to the weather. More than 215,000 customers were without power, according to PowerOutage.US, in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and West Virginia.
Thousands of flights have been canceled or delayed due to the severe weather threat in the Eastern United States. According to FlightAware, more than 1,000 flights have been canceled with another 3,000 delayed Monday.
The airports most affected are Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, where more than 250 flights have been canceled and another 400 delayed. Baltimore and New York’s LaGuardia and Kennedy airports are also experiencing disruptions.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, flights heading towards New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., airports are being deliberately slowed.
“The FAA is re-routing aircraft around storms heading to the East Coast as much as possible,” the FAA wrote in a post on X Monday. “Soon we will likely have to pause departures in and out of East Coast airports, including NYC, Philly, DC, Charlotte and Atlanta.”
The FAA is re-routing aircraft around the storms heading to the East Coast as much as possible. Soon we will likely have to pause departures in and out of East Coast airports including NYC, Philly, DC, Charlotte and Atlanta. Monitor https://t.co/ltA3DmcHcd. #FAAWeatherSquad pic.twitter.com/yk8f1tqBty— The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) August 7, 2023
As the East Coast braces for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, the South continues to swelter in dangerous heat.
“Excessive heat warnings and heat advisories are currently in effect across large portions of the southern tier of the nation and will likely continue through much of this week as there is no end in sight to the current large scale pattern that is driving this heat wave,” the National Weather Service warned.
Dozens of heat records were set or tied over the weekend in Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. Austin, Texas marked its 30th consecutive day with a high over 100 degrees, as the city hit 105 degrees Sunday.
Phoenix, Ariz., recently set a new record of 31 consecutive days with temperatures over 110 degrees.
Forecasters warn Tuesday could be even warmer.
