Severe Weather Disrupts Holiday Travel Across the US
Severe weather caused widespread disruptions to holiday travel across the US on Saturday, with deadly tornadoes touching down in the southeast and heavy snow and high winds affecting the west coast. According to tracking site FlightAware, more than 7,000 flights in the US were delayed, and over 200 were canceled.
The southeast region was hit hard by tornadoes, with at least 10 touching down in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. One person was killed near Houston, with four injuries reported in Brazoria County, Texas. Many homes and schools were severely damaged or destroyed, with images on social media showing scattered ruins of homes and snapped trees and utility poles strewn across streets and lawns.
Meanwhile, high winds with gusts of up to 150 mph hit the Tahoe Basin in California, while heavy rainfall was expected to fall from San Francisco to Portland, Oregon. Forecasters predicted between four to six inches of rain and up to 3 feet of snow in Lake Tahoe.
The Weather Service warned of damaging winds that could blow down trees and power lines, and widespread power outages were possible. The disruptions to travel plans caused by the severe weather added to the woes of holiday travelers already dealing with busy airports and long lines.
