WASHINGTON — Severe thunderstorms swept across parts of the eastern and southern United States this weekend, downing trees and power lines and prompting watches for additional storms into Sunday night, officials said.
The National Weather Service and local authorities reported damaging winds, heavy rain and isolated severe activity in states including Virginia, Pennsylvania and Louisiana on Saturday, June 6. In Pennsylvania, strong winds brought down trees and sent debris flying, while flooding affected areas of Louisiana such as Slidell near Lake Pontchartrain, forecasters said.
Severe thunderstorm watches remained in effect into overnight hours for portions of Pennsylvania and surrounding regions, according to weather service updates. More than 50 million people across broader areas from the Midwest to the Northeast faced risks of severe weather on Saturday, with potential for damaging winds, hail and heavy rainfall, ABC News and other outlets reported.
Power outages affected thousands in multiple states following the storms. In Connecticut, more than 10,000 customers lost electricity on Saturday night due to strong winds from thunderstorms, utilities reported. Similar impacts from wind damage and downed lines were noted in other affected regions earlier in the weekend.
“Details on the full extent of damage and outages were still being assessed Sunday,” a National Weather Service spokesperson said in a statement.
The storms come amid an active severe weather pattern in 2026, though forecasters had noted a relative lull in some peak tornado activity entering June. Earlier in the year, multiple outbreaks brought tornadoes, hail and winds to the Plains and Midwest.
No widespread casualties were immediately confirmed from the latest round of storms, though officials urged residents to remain vigilant for flash flooding and additional thunderstorm development. Emergency crews worked to clear roads and restore power in impacted communities.
As of Sunday, utilities and weather officials continued monitoring the situation, with some areas under continued alerts for gusty winds and heavy rain. Further details on total outages and property damage remained unclear pending full assessments.
The National Weather Service advised residents in affected regions to follow local guidance, secure outdoor items and stay informed through official channels.
