WAVERLY, VA — (CNN) A storm system that rocked the United States’ East Coast on Wednesday cost people their lives and families their homes, but many said they were grateful that they survived the ordeal.
More than a dozen tornadoes touched down. Hail the size of golf balls rained from the sky. And near-100mph winds were recorded in Florida.
The severe threat in regards to hail and tornadoes is over, however the backside of this low-pressure system could bring snow to the great lakes and blustery winds to the northeast, according to CNN Meteorologist Judson Jones.
“It’s still pretty strong,” CNN Meteorologist Tom Sater said, “We’ve got massive winds right now that are still creating the blizzard conditions in the Great Lakes. We still have a threat for severe weather from around the Philadelphia area to New York City.”
Here’s what you need to know:
The numbers
— Four people were killed in Virginia on Wednesday.
— Three were killed in the South on Tuesday.
— Sixteen tornadoes — eight in Virginia, five in North Carolina and three in Florida — have been reported on the East Coast, according to a preliminary report from the National Weather Service.
— Fifty-two tornadoes have been reported across the country since Tuesday, according to CNN Meteorologist Pedram Javaheri.
— A rare February tornado watch was issued on Wednesday for an area including the District of Columbia, Delaware, central and eastern Maryland, southern New Jersey, southeast Pennsylvania and Northern Virginia. It was in effect until 11 p.m. ET.
— More than 100,000 customers were without power early Thursday, officials with utility companies in several states and the District of Columbia said.
— More than 2,800 U.S. flights were canceled, according to Flightaware.com.
The dead, the injured
Three of the four killed in Virginia — a 2-year-old boy, a 50-year-old man and a 26-year-old man — lost their lives in Waverly, Corinne Geller, a spokeswoman for the state police, said in a news release.
Their bodies were found about 300 yards away from where their mobile home once sat.
Sgt. Michelle Anaya confirmed to CNN affiliate WAVY that the trio was thrown from the home.
“This storm is massive in its size — taking up a third of the country — and its been a triple threat really,” Sater said. “Besides the flooding and the blizzard conditions, it’s been the severe weather.”
Two people were killed in Louisiana on Tuesday when a tornado ripped through an RV park in Convent, Louisiana.
Another man was killed in Lamar County, Mississippi, the National Weather Service said. The Lamar County Coroner identified the victim as 73-year old Harris Dale Purvis, according to CNN affiliate WLBT.
At least 20 people were reported injured in Essex County, Virginia, where one tornado was reported, according to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.
And in Tappahannock — a city in Essex County — authorities were trying to rescue several people trapped in wreckage from the storm, CNN affiliate WWBT reported.
The response
— A curfew was put in effect in Waverly starting Wednesday night to clear the roads for cleanup and first responders, state police said.
— Many authorities are asking that people stay off the road.
— All schools in Appomattox County will be closed on Thursday, according to Virginia State Police.
— Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
— Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards traveled to the damaged areas and declared a state of emergency for seven parishes Tuesday night.
— Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency on Wednesday and canceled a trip in order to visit Waverly and Appomattox on Thursday.
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