As parts of the world face their own repercussion of climate change, the eastern part of the US is also grappling with its consequences. US government offices in Washington, DC, shut down early as thunderstorms and possible tornadoes headed towards the region. Here’s what we know so far.
Violent Storms In The US Cause 2,600 Flights To Cancel
U.S. government offices in the Washington D.C. area closed early on August 7, due to potential tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hailstones. Forecasters cautioned people across the eastern U.S. to stay indoors, reported NDTV.
FlightAware, a flight tracking site, reported over 2,600 U.S. flight cancellations, including 102 at Washington Reagan National Airport, stated NDTV’s report. As per the report, 35 flights at Washington Dulles and an additional 7,700 U.S. flights also experienced delays.
Swift thunderstorms and strong winds downed trees and caused power outages for nearly 200,000 homes and businesses, stated the report. The outages mainly occurred in nearby Maryland and Virginia, reported PowerOutage.us. As per the NDTV report, southern and mid-Atlantic states had up to 800,000 customers without power.
Reports also stated that despite being soaked by rain and experiencing some hail, the nation’s capital avoided tornadoes. The National Weather Service’s tornado watch, which ended at 9 pm, local time, reported that the storm had passed without any twisters occurring, stated the report.
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As per the report, Washington had a coastal flood advisory lasting until 4 am, local time. The National Weather Service indicated that over 29.5 million people, spanning from Alabama to western New York state, faced tornado risks on August 7. However, no tornadoes were reported by 9 pm, local time, stated NDTV.
How Has This Affected The Country’s Aviation Industry?
Due to thunderstorms, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) halted departing flights at airports in New York, Washington, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Baltimore, reported NDTV.
The FAA also rerouted aircraft around the storms, whenever feasible, to avoid mishaps, stated the report. According to the report, various services in the Washington area, including libraries, museums, the National Zoo, and pools, were closed early on August 7.
Municipal and federal services were also affected, stated the report. As per NDTV’s reports, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management required federal employees to leave no later than 3 pm. Owing to the fast and dangerously approaching thunderstorms and rains.
Also Read: More Than 1600 Flights Cancelled, Terminals Shut, Luggage Missing In Storm-Hit US
Several parts of the world are grappling with the ever-growing issue of climate change. And it seems like America is the latest to struggle with its consequences.
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