The death toll from Cyclone Idai, which struck the coast of Mozambique near the port city of Beira on March 14, has climbed above 1,000, with more than 2 million affected by the storm, Reuters reports.
The big picture: Cyclone Idai was the equivalent of a Category 3 storm when it struck Africa's coast, destroying much of Beira and flooding a vast inland region, turning rivers into an inland sea. In addition to Mozambique, the rains also affected Zimbabwe and Malawi. The World Bank estimates rebuilding may cost more than $2 billion.
Powerful storms brought hail, gusty winds and confirmed tornadoes to communities in the South, killing at least 9 people — including 3 children — before moving northeast and toward parts of the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast over the weekend and into early Monday morning.
The latest: The National Weather Service issued numerous severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings and watches early Monday, as a strong cold front pressed across the eastern states. Affected communities were in New York — including New York City — Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Connecticut. Severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall from the Northeast to the Carolinas continued into early Monday, before giving way to fall-like weather and strong winds behind the front.
