Midwest Battered by Record Winds, Storms Ahead

0:00It's March 14th in Durham, let's get into the news. High winds battered the Midwest and East Coast starting Friday, leaving hundreds of thousands without power from the Great Lakes region into Pennsylvania and Ohio. Trees toppled everywhere, damaging homes, cars, and businesses, while gusts hit record levels without thunderstorms. Nearly 450,000 customers remained in the dark by mid-afternoon Saturday across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Pittsburgh saw a 66-mile-power blast, its fourth strongest ever in clear conditions, and Cleveland clocked 85 miles per hour. Locals dealt with fallen limbs, crushing roofs and signs ripped from stores, like a gas station canopy in Ohio. In Nebraska, a wind-fueled wildfire claimed one life, with smoke blanketing the area, and farmers pitching in water trucks and supplies for weary, firefighters. Chicago pushed ahead with its St. Patrick's Day Parade and Green Died River, even as biting winds dropped the field to below freezing, thousands braved the chill for the festivities.

1:04A wild weather mix continues, with heavy rains flooding Hawaii, scorching triple-digit heat nearing Phoenix, and a massive snowstorm moving for. Sunday into Monday, across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula, officials warn of ice and tough travel ahead, this episode is supported by our sponsor. No earbuds, no headbands, no awkward sleeping positions, just a pillow that plays your sound, S-O-L-L-I-SoliPillow.com.