ATLANTA — The storm system that prompted tornado warnings in each of the Gulf Coast states and killed at least three people on Tuesday barreled across the South overnight and, by Wednesday morning, appeared particularly menacing to parts of the Carolinas, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.  The National Weather Service said Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Raleigh, N.C.; Richmond, Va., and Virginia Beach were among the cities that faced “moderate” or “enhanced” risks for severe weather on Wednesday.  7:16am CST #SPC Public Severe Weather Outlook #PWO concerning #mdwx #ncwx #scwx #vawx https://t.co/6iRwf4KAl8 pic.twitter.com/rCVmcaWCHp  “The primary threat will be damaging wind gusts, but large hail and a few tornadoes are also expected,” Jaret Rogers, a forecaster for the Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center, said in a briefing on Wednesday. In Raleigh, the Weather Service said, wind gusts could exceed 70 miles per hour and damage might “be tornado-like in intensity.”  “As such,” the service said, “severe thunderstorm warnings should not be ignored, and should be treated like tornado warnings.”  The authorities urged residents to prepare for the storm, and Gov. Pat McCrory of North Carolina said that he had placed 14 rescue teams on standby.  I’ve notified state’s Urban Search & Rescue and hazardous materials Regional Response teams to be on standby. Stay alert, don’t get hurt.  Throughout Tuesday and into early Wednesday, the powerful weather system prompted tornado warnings in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Utility companies reported Wednesday morning that more than 20,000 customers were without electricity.  In St. James Parish, La., where a suspected tornado damaged scores of homes at the Sugar Hill R.V. Park, the Sheriff’s Office reported two fatalities. An ambulance service said it had transported more than 30 people.  “We will do all that we can to help restore the families, business and communities destroyed by this tragedy,” said Gov. John Bel Edwards of Louisiana, who toured storm damage on Tuesday night in Convent and declared emergencies in seven parishes.  The Mississippi authorities said there had been one death in the state.  Officials in Escambia County, Fla., said six people were injured and at least two dozen apartments were destroyed. More than 20 miles of Interstate 10 was closed for part of Tuesday night but had reopened by Wednesday. Naval Air Station Pensacola and public schools were operating normally on Wednesday.
The authorities in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and the Carolinas warned people to prepare for severe weather from a storm that killed at least three on Tuesday.