Trending Now - Severe Weather Alerts: Tornadoes and Storms Impact East Coast

WHO:

Gov. Josh Stein of North Carolina stated, "Our State Emergency Response Team is activated, closely monitoring conditions, and ready to respond."

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser warned residents, "During the storm, stay inside," and advised seeking shelter if a tornado warning is issued.

Gov. Josh Stein of North Carolina stated, "As this storm moves across the state, North Carolinians should stay alert and be prepared to take cover if severe weather develops nearby."

NC Emergency Management Director Will Ray said, "We have seen multiple tornado warnings so far today, and we will continue to see the chance of severe weather throughout the day."

Governor Josh Stein of North Carolina

Dr. Anthony Lewis, DPS Superintendent

Will Ray, NC Emergency Management Director

Duke Energy

WHAT:

More than 94 million people in the eastern half of the United States were under severe weather alerts from the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center.

As of March 16th, 2026, over 360,000 people in the U.S. were without power, with approximately 118,000 outages reported in Michigan.

More than 3,000 flights were canceled nationwide on March 16th, 2026, due to severe weather.

The National Weather Service confirmed four tornadoes in Missouri on March 15th, 2026, causing roof and tree damage, but no injuries were reported.

A Level 4 of 5 severe storm risk was issued for central North Carolina on March 16th, 2026.

Wind gusts are expected to reach 65 to 75 mph in the D.C. region, with isolated tornadoes possible.

Rainfall rates reached 3 to 5 inches per hour on March 16th, 2026, leading to significant flooding on roadways.

A flood warning is in effect for parts of Montgomery County, Maryland, and Fairfax County, Virginia, until 6:30 p.m. on March 16th, 2026.

A tornado watch was issued for parts of central North Carolina, including the Triangle.

Wind gusts are expected to reach 60 to 80 mph in the D.C. region, with isolated tornadoes possible.

As of March 16th, 2026, approximately half a million customers across the central U.S. were without power due to the storms.

A flood warning is in effect for parts of Montgomery County, Maryland, and Fairfax County, Virginia, until 6:30 p.m. on March 16th, 2026.

A tornado watch was originally slated to last until 7 p.m. on March 16th, 2026, but was canceled early.

Rainfall rates reached 3 to 5 inches per hour on March 16th, 2026, leading to significant flooding on roadways, including Interstate 270 and the Capital Beltway.

A car stalled in high water on the Capital Beltway, where water pooled up to a foot deep.

Six of seven southbound lanes on I-270 were submerged by high water near the lane divide in Bethesda on March 16th, 2026.

The National Weather Service reported that storms moved through at 55 mph, packing powerful winds as high as 60 mph.

Maryland authorities responded to flooding on the Capital Beltway about an hour after it began, stopping traffic for approximately 15 minutes.

Wind gusts are expected to reach 40 mph throughout the day, even away from storms.

As of March 16th, 2026, about 250 Duke Energy customers were without power, which was fewer than initially feared.

Rainfall rates reached 3 to 5 inches per hour in the D.C. region on March 16th, 2026.

A flood warning is in effect for parts of Montgomery County, Maryland, and Fairfax County, Virginia, until 6:30 p.m. on March 16th, 2026.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of preparedness ahead of the severe weather on March 16th, 2026.

Federal employees in the D.C. area were authorized for early departure by the Office of Personnel Management, with a deadline of 2 p.m. on March 16th, 2026.

A Level 4 of 5 severe storm risk has been issued for central North Carolina.

A Tornado Watch has been issued for parts of central North Carolina, including the Triangle.

About 250 Duke Energy customers were without power on March 16th, 2026.

Severe storm risk is expected to end around sunset on March 16th, 2026, with lingering showers ending before midnight.

WHERE:

The severe weather alerts affected areas from Florida to New York, with the highest risk concentrated in the Mid-Atlantic region, including Washington, Maryland, and Virginia.

Blizzard conditions were reported in Michigan, with the northern half of the state experiencing severe weather.

Central North Carolina, including the Triangle area.

Wake County, North Carolina.

WHEN:

The severe weather outbreak began on March 16th, 2026, with impacts expected to continue into the evening.

The severe weather outbreak is occurring on March 16th, 2026, with storms expected to diminish late that night.

A slight chance of lingering showers may persist through early March 17th, 2026.

The severe weather outbreak is occurring on March 16th, 2026, with storms expected to diminish late that night.

A slight chance of lingering showers may persist through early March 17th, 2026.

The severe weather outbreak is occurring on March 16th, 2026.

The severe storm risk should end around sunset on March 16th, 2026.

Lows are expected to drop into the upper 20s to low 30s on March 16th, 2026.

A slight chance of lingering showers may persist through early March 17th, 2026.

WHY:

The storm system that caused the severe weather was linked to a powerful winter storm affecting the Great Lakes region, which was also responsible for blizzard conditions.

A strong cold front is sweeping across the region, creating conditions for widespread thunderstorms and severe weather, including the potential for damaging winds and tornadoes.

A strong cold front is sweeping across the region, creating conditions ripe for widespread thunderstorms and severe weather.

HOW:

Federal agencies instructed workers to leave early due to the severe weather, with the Office of Personnel Management authorizing departures by 2 p.m. on March 16th, 2026.

The State Emergency Response Team is activated and closely monitoring conditions, ready to respond to severe weather.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 11:14 UTC)

Severe weather alerts are currently in effect for over 94 million people across the eastern United States, with the highest risks concentrated in the Mid-Atlantic region, including Washington, Maryland, and Virginia. Governor Josh Stein of North Carolina has activated the State Emergency Response Team to monitor conditions, while Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser has urged residents to stay indoors during the storm and seek shelter if a tornado warning is issued. As of yesterday, more than 360,000 people were without power nationwide, over 3,000 flights were canceled, and blizzard conditions were reported in Michigan, all linked to a powerful winter storm affecting the Great Lakes region.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 09:14 UTC)

Today, North Carolina is under a Level 4 of 5 severe storm risk as a strong cold front sweeps across the region, prompting Governor Josh Stein to urge residents to stay alert and be prepared for severe weather. Multiple tornado warnings have already been issued, and NC Emergency Management Director Will Ray noted that the chance of severe weather will continue throughout the day, with wind gusts expected to reach 65 to 75 mph and rainfall rates hitting 3 to 5 inches per hour, leading to significant flooding in areas like Montgomery County, Maryland, and Fairfax County, Virginia. A tornado watch is in effect for parts of central North Carolina, including the Triangle, with storms expected to diminish late tonight, although a slight chance of lingering showers may persist into early tomorrow.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 07:21 UTC)

Severe storms swept through the D.C. region on March 16, bringing wind gusts of 60 to 80 mph and causing significant flooding, with rainfall rates reaching 3 to 5 inches per hour. Approximately half a million customers across the central U.S. were left without power, while a flood warning remained in effect for parts of Montgomery County, Maryland, and Fairfax County, Virginia, until 6:30 p.m. Authorities responded to flooding on the Capital Beltway, where a car stalled in high water and six of seven southbound lanes on I-270 were submerged near Bethesda.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 03:46 UTC)

Today, a strong cold front is sweeping across the region, bringing severe weather that includes thunderstorms and wind gusts expected to reach 40 miles per hour. As of yesterday, about 250 Duke Energy customers were without power, which was fewer than initially feared, while rainfall rates in the D.C. area reached an alarming 3 to 5 inches per hour, prompting a flood warning for parts of Montgomery County and Fairfax County until this evening. Maryland Governor Wes Moore declared a state of preparedness ahead of the storms, and federal employees in the D.C. area were authorized to leave early due to the severe conditions.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 01:32 UTC)

A Level 4 of 5 severe storm risk has been issued for central North Carolina, including the Triangle area, as a strong cold front sweeps through, creating conditions for widespread thunderstorms. A Tornado Watch is currently in effect, and about 250 Duke Energy customers experienced power outages yesterday. The severe weather is expected to taper off around sunset today, with lingering showers possibly continuing into early tomorrow morning.