Looming Storms Prompt Closure of US Government Offices, Millions Placed Under Tornado Watch

Government offices in Washington close early due to approaching thunderstorms. Millions warned of tornadoes, damaging wind, and hail.

Severe weather conditions have prompted the closure of U.S. government offices in the Washington area, as well as warnings of potential tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hailstones across the eastern U.S. The National Weather Service has identified a risk of tornadoes in an area spanning from Alabama to western New York state, affecting more than 29.5 million people. The mid-Atlantic area, including Washington, D.C., faces the greatest risk, with wind speeds potentially exceeding 75 miles per hour and hailstones larger than golf balls. As a result of the storms, over 800,000 customers have lost power in the southern and mid-Atlantic states. The Federal Aviation Administration has grounded departing flights at airports in New York, Washington, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Baltimore, redirecting aircraft away from the storms whenever possible. Various municipal and federal services, including libraries, museums, the National Zoo, and pools in the Washington area, have also closed early. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management has instructed federal employees to depart no later than 3 p.m. Flight cancellations have reached over 2,300 U.S. flights, with 95 cancellations at Washington Reagan National Airport alone. An additional 6,800 U.S. flights have been delayed.

Share With Others