Dallas, Texas – Severe storms ripped through parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, bringing tornadoes, hail, and powerful winds, leading to widespread damage and power outages. Tornado warning sirens blared as lightning illuminated the pre-dawn sky across the region. Flights were canceled, homes were destroyed, and significant storm damage was reported in various areas. Hundreds of thousands of people were left without power as the dangerous storms swept across the South to the East Coast, disrupting Mardi Gras events in Louisiana on Fat Tuesday.
In Jefferson Parish, part of the greater New Orleans area, Mardi Gras parades were officially canceled due to the inclement weather. Police in New Orleans closely monitored the situation, making changes to parade times and considering further cancellations as the storms progressed. As the line of severe thunderstorms continued near the Oklahoma-Arkansas border into northeast Texas, damaging winds posed the main threat, with gusts capable of toppling trees and causing power outages.
The severe weather system also spawned tornadoes, causing havoc and destruction in cities like Irving, Texas, and Kingston County, Oklahoma. Homes were destroyed, campers were overturned, and power lines were brought down, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. In Lewisville, Texas, a warehouse for Benjamin Moore Paints collapsed, burying vehicles under debris from the torn-open building. Despite the significant damage, there were no immediate reports of injuries in the affected areas.
As the storms intensified, rain transformed into wet snow in parts of Colorado, Kansas, and South Dakota, accompanied by gusty winds of up to 55 mph. Blizzard conditions were expected along stretches of major interstates, creating hazardous travel conditions. Residents in Ada, Oklahoma, shared images of widespread destruction, urging caution due to downed power lines, gas leaks, and fallen trees throughout the city.
Throughout the affected regions, authorities emphasized the importance of being prepared for severe weather events. Understanding the distinction between tornado watches (indicating possible tornado formation) and tornado warnings (indicating imminent tornado danger) could mean the difference between life and death. Residents were urged to seek shelter immediately when tornado warnings were issued, as the storms continued to wreak havoc across multiple states.