By admin 
Severe weather battered parts of the Pacific Northwest on Thursday as forecasts showed a resurgence of heavy rain in a handful of southern and midwestern states. The storm wave put pressure on travel plans after the Christmas holidays and caused hundreds of flight cancellations across the country.
Caused a series of thunderstorms ground stops at both Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field Thursday afternoon. In the middle of what AAA predicted would be the busiest holiday season ever, there were at least 264 flight cancellations from DFW on Thursday evening, accounting for 22% of all cancellations nationwide according to flight tracking website FlightAware. Another 550 flights from DFW were delayed, accounting for 46% of all delays nationwide.
“We have a connecting flight here from DFW to Tokyo for our second anniversary and it was delayed 12 times and communication was poor,” Latoyia Pugh told CBS News.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott activated the state’s emergency response plan Thursday afternoon to prepare for the weather.
“Texas is prepared to deploy all necessary resources to help local officials respond to severe weather threats,” Abbott said in a statement. “As Texans and out-of-state visitors begin traveling after the Christmas holidays, it is critical that everyone regularly monitor road conditions, have a contingency plan in place, and heed guidance from state and local officials. ”
At least one suspected tornado touched down Thursday evening near El Campo, Texas, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) southwest of Houston. According to CBS News senior national weather correspondent Rob Marciano, the most powerful storms covered a region from Shreveport, Louisiana, south to Beaumont, Texas.
Earlier, the National Weather Service in Fort Worth had issued several watches and warnings Thursday morning for flash flooding, dense fog, tornadoes and thunderstorms in various parts of the region. All tornado watches and warnings were canceled Thursday evening.
The tornado watch has been canceled for North and Central Texas! https://t.co/wbdQ04bDW5
— NWS Fort Worth (@NWSFortWorth) December 26, 2024
Meanwhile, Oregon and Washington were expected to see moderate to heavy rain and some thunderstorms on Thursday, resulting in flooding of up to 3 inches across the area and possibly some flooding in places where rain falls quickly, according to a National Weather Service report. advisory. Mountain snow, high winds and dangerous surf were also expected.
Nearly 60,000 customers were without power in Washington and Oregon at one point Thursday morning, according to the outage tracker FindEnergy.com. By Thursday evening, however, that number had dropped to about 14,600 customers.
This is the latest in a series of storms caused by an atmospheric river currently affecting the west coast. The first round in the northwest is expected to move inland by Thursday afternoon, meteorologists said, giving the region a brief reprieve before another bout of extreme weather hits many of the same areas Thursday evening. The coming period is expected to bring an additional inch or two of rain Friday morning.
While an atmospheric river of rain continues to flow across the region, the next disturbance is developing offshore (as seen on the satellite). Another gust of wind is expected early Thursday morning. Tree damage and power outages are possible. #wawx pic.twitter.com/4QZ5tH3P56
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) December 26, 2024
High wind warnings were also issued for parts of the Oregon and Washington coasts. Forecasters in Medford, Oregon, had warned Thursday morning that “damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines.”
The National Weather Service in Seattle issued similar warnings Wednesday through Thursday, noting that wind gusts in the area could peak at about 60 mph for coastal areas and reach up to 55 mph around the Puget Sound. Meteorologists in Portland reported wind gusts of 90 mph in the early hours of Thursday morning at Beacon Rock, Washington, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) east of Portland, the weather service said.
Widespread wind warnings and high wind warnings are in effect tonight through Thursday morning. Wind gusts are forecast to peak around 60 MPH for the coast and Admiralty Inlet northward. Wind gusts of 45 to 55 MPH are expected for Puget Sound. Locally stronger gusts of wind possible. #wawx pic.twitter.com/tgZLzRQoGw
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) December 26, 2024
The latest storms in the Pacific Northwest a series of dangerous weather followed along the west coast this holiday week. Earlier, a severe storm ravaged Northern California, causing the death of at least one person at Sunset State Beach in Santa Cruz, who became trapped Monday under debris that authorities said was piled on top of him due to a large wave, the Associated reported Press. . Two people had to be saved when part of the The Santa Cruz wharf collapsed.
There was also thick fog over parts of the Midwest on Thursday. In Kansas City, forecasters predicted fog and light rain were expected to continue throughout the day, with areas of particularly poor visibility – less than a quarter mile in some places – expected to linger throughout the morning across central and eastern Kansas and central Missouri. Forecasts suggested the fog would clear by midday, but only to a point.
The outlook further north in Illinois was quite similar.
“Areas of dense fog will remain over parts of northern Illinois through this afternoon,” the National Weather Service in Chicago said mid-morning Thursday. “Expect low visibility and slow driving on the roads until conditions improve.”
Areas of dense fog will remain over parts of northern Illinois through this afternoon. Expect low visibility and slow driving on the roads until conditions improve. Be extra careful if you encounter fog while driving today! #ILwx #INwx pic.twitter.com/c1zp4XwoI4
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) December 26, 2024
Kati Weis
contributed to this report.
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