Over 800 000 homes without power as severe storms hit Midwest and Northeast U.S.

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Severe storms accompanied by high winds led to widespread power outages in the Midwest and the northeastern U.S. over the weekend, affecting more than 800 000 customers. Property damage was also reported, as well as flooding along the shores of the Great Lakes into Monday, November 16.

A deepening area of low pressure brought winds of up to 122 km/h (76 mph) across much of the Midwest and northeastern regions, causing power outages, flooding, and property damage, according to AccuWeather meteorologist Brett Rossio.

The system formed Saturday, November 14, and by Sunday afternoon, November 15, a wide area of wind gusts ranging between 64 and 122 km/h (40 and 76 mph) hit Missouri, Indiana, and Ohio.

In Ohio, more than 350 000 power outages were reported, while 210 000 customers lost electricity in Michigan. By Sunday evening, more than 800 000 customers in the region lost access to power.

High winds also resulted in one fatality in Ohio– the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reported that a 63-year-old woman was killed after being hit by a fallen tree. 

Strong winds knocked down trees, caused property damage, and triggered lakeshore flooding across the Great Lakes, which persisted through Monday. The National Weather Service (NWS) Detroit has issued a high wind warning for the Detroit area and much of Michigan.

As of Monday morning, 198 885 people remain without power in Michigan, 112 718 in Ohio, 58 794 in Pennsylvania, 40 764 in New York, and 21 936 in Maine.

Lake effect showers are forecast downwind of the Great Lakes through Tuesday, November 17, given a favorable upper-level pattern and a cold front passing through Monday night, said the NWS. 

"Favored areas east of Lakes Ontario and Erie will likely see at least a few inches of snow. Light snow is also possible for the Central Appalachians, while the northern Mid-Atlantic and Northeast may see non-accumulating snow on Tuesday."

"Most other areas of the U.S. should remain dry for the next couple days, with the exception of rain showers over the Florida peninsula as a cold front slowly traverses the state."

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Featured image credit: AEP Ohio

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