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| Deadly Winter Storm Leaves Millions on Alert and Thousands Without Power |
Six Dead as Severe Weather Sweeps Across the Midwest
A powerful winter storm has claimed at least six lives and left nearly half a million energy customers without power as of Monday morning. Strong winds, heavy rain, and freezing conditions have caused widespread devastation from the mid-Atlantic to the South.
Widespread Weather Alerts and Dangerous Conditions
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued warnings for more than 70 million people on Sunday night, cautioning that "large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes can all be expected" across the Ohio, Tennessee, and Mississippi valleys, as well as the mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Gulf Coast regions.
Latest Key Messages for the April snowstorm set to impact parts of the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest Tuesday-Wednesday this week. ❄️ pic.twitter.com/ZeVWCejdzV
— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) March 31, 2025
Fatalities and Devastation Across Multiple States
In Michigan, three members of the same family lost their lives in Kalamazoo County when a tree fell on their vehicle. Three other individuals were hospitalized, with one in critical condition.
In Indiana, a 34-year-old truck driver, Jagbir Singh, was killed in Valparaiso when his semitruck was overturned by 80 mph winds. Additionally, a preliminary report from northern Indiana stated that an Amish buggy was toppled in Millersburg, resulting in one fatality.
In Oklahoma, a man died in Cherokee County when a tree fell on a camper.
In Missouri and Mississippi, reports of tornadoes and funnel clouds emerged from Doniphan, Missouri, and Vancleave, Mississippi, as severe storms swept through the region.
Power Outages and Infrastructure Damage
The storm caused extensive power outages, particularly in the Great Lakes region.
In Michigan, nearly 300,000 customers were left without electricity.
In Wisconsin and Indiana, over 50,000 power connections were reported down.
In Gaylord, Michigan, nearly an inch of ice formed, bringing down power lines and making travel dangerous.
Emergency Response and Shelter Efforts
Authorities warned residents to remain indoors unless absolutely necessary. In Elkhart, Indiana, a collapsed building added to the destruction, though no fatalities were reported there.
In response to the outages and freezing conditions, communities turned churches, schools, and firehouses into temporary shelters. Many residents, like Jesika Fox and her husband, were forced to drive long distances in search of fuel for generators after losing power.
Ongoing Threat as Storm Moves South
Forecasters warned that the severe weather is continuing to track southward, with Tennessee now in its path. The NWS urged those under tornado watches to identify their nearest shelter and take immediate precautions.
Michigan (Kalamazoo County, Alpena, Gaylord, Elkhart)
Indiana (Valparaiso, Millersburg, Porter County)
Oklahoma (Cherokee County)
Missouri (Doniphan)
Mississippi (Vancleave)
Tennessee (potential impact forecasted)
