by Scott McFetridge and Kathy McCormack, Associated Press, WFDD staff
In North Carolina, one person has died and two other people were in critical condition after a suspected tornado struck a mobile home park in the town of Claremont, which is north of Charlotte, according to Amy McCauley, a spokesperson for Catawba County. The county has also been dealing with downed trees and flooding.
Blizzard conditions are expected in the Great Plains and the Pacific Northwest, while the Northeast braces for more precipitation following weekend snowfall.
The storm is bringing snow levels to several Northeast cities not seen in years. Another major storm arriving on Tuesday threatens even more hazardous conditions in the region.
States across the East Coast, including North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Vermont, are expected to see wintry conditions that could lead to power outages and slippery roads.
The August wildfires on the Hawaiian island erased troves of irreplaceable items — photographs, urns and mementos. One local jewelry store has been trying to help recover what the fires destroyed.
Wildfires worsened by climate change spewed smoke over much of North America this year. It's a new reality Americans haven't yet processed: how dangerous the smoke is for human health.
The "significant" winter storm dropping heavy snow, freezing rains and potentially damaging ice is expected to last through early Wednesday, the National Weather Service warns.