Heat wave triggers major storms and power outages in the southeastern US

Meteorologists warned people celebrating Father’s Day outdoors on Sunday to take precautions as temperatures of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit prompted heat advisories across much of the southern United States, unleashed thunderstorms that knocked out power power from Oklahoma to Mississippi and unleashed winds that created wildfire threats in Arizona and New Mexico.

A suspected tornado struck near Scranton, Arkansas, early Sunday morning, destroying chicken coops and toppling trees onto homes, the National Weather Service said. There were no immediate reports of serious injuries.

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency for the northern and central parts of his state after high winds and severe weather caused widespread power outages on Saturday. On Sunday, more than 740,000 people lost power in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi, according to PowerOutage.us.

Forecasters said potentially record-breaking temperatures would continue through midweek in southern Texas and much of the Gulf Coast. Storms producing damaging winds, hail and possibly tornadoes could strike the lower Mississippi Valley.

“If you have plans outside this #FathersDay, don’t forget to practice heat safety! Take frequent breaks, stay hydrated, NEVER leave people/pets alone in a car!” the weather service office in Houston said on Twitter.

In Florida, the weather service issued another heat advisory Sunday, this time primarily for the Florida Keys. Forecasters said heat index readings, the combination of high temperatures and oppressive humidity, could reach 42 to 45 degrees Celsius in places like Key Largo, Marathon and Key West.

“These conditions will cause an increased risk of heat illness for people outdoors or in spaces without air conditioning,” the weather service said in a bulletin.

In the Southwest, where fire crews are battling multiple wildfires in Arizona and New Mexico, forecasters said triple-digit temperatures and gusty winds would bring critical fire weather for days to come. Sunday promised to be the hottest day of the year in Arizona, with highs as high as 43.5C in Phoenix.

Winds gusting to 30 mph to 40 mph on Sunday east of Flagstaff, Ariz., were forecast along the Interstate 40 corridor and up to 50 mph on Monday, creating potentially critical fire weather across much of northeast New Mexico.

A large wildfire that broke out Friday afternoon south of Tucson, Arizona, shut down a state highway Saturday. Arizona 83 reopened Sunday and no houses were in immediate danger, authorities said.

Much of Nevada was under a high wind advisory gusting up to 55 mph with dust that could impair visibility on highways, the weather service said.

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