A powerful storm system has left a trail of destruction across several states in the South to the Ohio Valley region. The severe weather spawned tornadoes and damaging storms, resulting in at least one fatality and numerous injuries.
In Kentucky, Governor Andy Beshear confirmed the death of a young man in a car accident in Campbell County during the intense storms. The governor declared a state of emergency as the Lexington area experienced significant damage.
Jeffersonville, Indiana, also saw its share of injuries with at least 10 people reported injured due to the storms. Photos shared by the town's mayor depicted homes with roofs torn off and debris scattered throughout the neighborhood.
West Virginia faced severe thunderstorms that led to flooding, downed trees, power outages, and road blockages. Governor Jim Justice declared a state of emergency for several counties in the state.
Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia all reported tornado activity, with a total of 16 tornadoes touching down. The storms caused extensive damage, including an EF2 tornado in Conyers, Georgia, with winds reaching 115 mph.
Ohio also experienced the wrath of the storm system, leaving Fairland West Elementary in Proctorville severely damaged. Fortunately, students were on spring break at the time.
Utility customers in West Virginia were left without power, with over 53,000 customers affected by the outages. Tennessee and Oklahoma also reported structural damage and destruction to homes and buildings.
The Storm Prediction Center warns of continued severe weather threats, including tornadoes, strong winds, and large hail, affecting millions of people across the Southeast and East Coast.
