Dynamic Storm System Buries Northern U.S. in Snow with Severe Storms in the South

Posted: February 17, 2023 6:08 pm

A major weather maker unleashed its power across the central U.S. this week, grabbing all of the headlines as it delivered snow, tornadoes, damaging winds, and flash flooding. Here is a look back at what the storm system left in its path.

Four Injuries Reported from Fallen Tree Near Chicago

While there have been no fatalities reported as a result of this two-tiered storm, there were at least four injuries on Thursday when a tree fell on four staff members at Northwestern University. A combination of high winds, heavy wet snow, and ice brought down the tree on campus in Evanston, located just to the north of Chicago.

One of the victims is listed in critical condition at Evanston Hospital with two more people in serious condition. The university has not determined what caused the tree to buckle and fall. The school is also trying to discern if there are more trees that are vulnerable to collapsing.

Snow Impacts Colorado, Kansas, Iowa, and Beyond

Snow was an issue from Tuesday through Thursday in an area stretching from Arizona up through Michigan. Traveling on Interstate 70 in portions in Colorado and Kansas became a treacherous proposition with vehicles littered all over the major highway due to ice and snow.

The worst of the snow bands hit Iowa late Wednesday and Thursday, snarling traffic and keeping state patrol officers busy responding to calls for help. According to the Iowa State Patrol, there were at least 330 calls for service on Thursday alone. The department reported at least five injuries as a result of vehicular crashes.

Snow fell in amounts measured in feet in some of the highest terrains of the Rocky Mountains. Coal Bank Pass, Colorado, connecting Durango and Silverton, reported 27 inches of snow. Meanwhile, 22 inches of snow was recorded in Chupadero, New Mexico.

The heavy snow was not limited to the mountainous regions. Quinter, Kansas, in the western part of the state, saw 11 inches of snow. Some portions of Iowa saw snowfall accumulations of at least 8 inches while a widespread 3 inches was recorded in parts of Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

Severe Weather on the Southern Tier of the Storm System

The northern tier of the storm system was dealing with wintry conditions while the southern tier was experiencing severe weather. Tornadoes spun up across the south, impacting communities in Arkansas and Mississippi. The good news is that the damage from these storms was largely isolated with any twisters not staying on the ground for a significant amount of time.

A tornado was reported in the northwestern corner of Arkansas early Thursday under a cover of darkness. Residents woke up to damaged roofs and downed trees and power lines in Searcy County. The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed that the damage was at the hands of a tornado of at least EF1 strength.

A series of thunderstorms also caused damage in parts of Arkansas and Missouri. Wind gusts over 60 mph were reported in Conway, Arkansas with gusts in the upper 50s throughout much of southern Missouri.

Torrential Rain Triggers Flash Flooding

The storms came with an abundance of moisture, triggering flash flooding in a large area throughout the lower Mississippi Valley and into northwestern Tennessee. A portion of Interstate 65 in Alabama was closed for a time on Thursday evening because of flooding.

Floodwaters approaching a daycare in Dover, Tennessee forced the evacuation of the facility on Thursday morning. Fortunately, all of the kids were ferried to safety before the waters reached the building.

West Virginia was also hit hard by the torrential rain, forcing Gov. Jim Justice to declare a state of emergency for the entire state. Roads were closed in multiple locations because of mudslide danger and rising waters. Students at the Lincoln County High School in southern West Virginia needed to stay the night Thursday because of floodwaters and downed power lines presenting a danger to school busses.

Mudslides were also a concern in Kentucky and Alabama as the rain continued to fall in droves. While the worst of the impacts have passed from this particular storm system, there were still a number of flood warnings and advisories in effect throughout the South.

Drier weather is in the cards for much of the eastern half of the country heading into the weekend. This will allow the floodwaters to recede and aid in the cleanup effort.

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