Sprawling storm wallops US: tornado reports, damage and heavy snow

A winter storm hit the South with thunderstorms and tornado warnings, and brought cities across the Midwest to a standstill.

A massive winter storm brought severe weather to the South, with strong thunderstorms and tornado warnings causing widespread damage. The storm also hit the Midwest, bringing more than half a foot of snow and causing cities to come to a standstill. The National Weather Service reported radar-confirmed tornadoes and wind gusts of up to 106 mph in Florida, with widespread damage to homes and infrastructure.

In the aftermath of the storm, police and first responders were working to rescue people from damaged homes and clear debris from roadways. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis activated the Florida State Guard to prepare for the storm's impacts, and over 140,000 customers were left without power across Florida, Alabama, and Georgia.

The Midwest was also heavily affected, with snowstorms causing up to 12 inches of snow in areas stretching from southeastern Colorado to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Whiteout conditions led to the closure of Interstate 80 in central Nebraska, and Interstate 70 in Kansas was also closed due to dangerous travel conditions. The weather also impacted campaigning for Iowa's precinct caucuses, leading to the cancellation of multiple appearances by former President Donald Trump's campaign.

The storm was expected to head east, bringing a combination of snow, rain, and strong winds to the Northeast. Blizzard warnings were issued for much of the Cascade and Olympic ranges in Washington and Oregon, and concerns about flooding arose in areas such as New England. The storm's impacts were widespread, affecting communities from the South to the Pacific Northwest.