(NEW YORK) -- A major cross-country storm is moving east, bringing severe thunderstorms to the South on Mardi Gras Day before heading to the East Coast on Wednesday.
More than 400,000 customers lost power in Texas on Tuesday morning.
Damage was reported in Irving, Texas, near Dallas, and winds gusted to 62 mph near Abilene, Texas, as the storm blew through in the morning.
In Oklahoma, residents woke up to a tornado, wind gusts over 80 mph and flash flooding.
Now, the storm moves east.
On Tuesday afternoon, the severe thunderstorms reach Jackson, Mississippi, and New Orleans as Mardi Gras celebrations culminate in a final day of festivities on Fat Tuesday. Parades in the area have been canceled or moved earlier due to the weather.
Damaging winds up to 80 mph and large hail are in the forecast. Heavy downpours could also cause flash flooding.
A tornado watch is also in effect in New Orleans and Jackson through Tuesday evening.
As the system marches east, thunderstorms will hit Alabama after 8 p.m. Tuesday and then the Florida Panhandle and Atlanta overnight.
By Wednesday, the severe weather will reach the East Coast.
Charleston, South Carolina, up to Norfolk, Virginia are in the bull's-eye for damaging winds and potential tornadoes.
The heavy rain will hit Washington, D.C., by Wednesday afternoon and then New York City and New England on Wednesday evening.
Meanwhile, a blizzard warning is in effect in Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa and Minnesota, where a combination of snow and gusty winds could create dangerous whiteout conditions on roads Tuesday night into Wednesday.
A winter storm warning has been issued from Minnesota to Michigan, where some areas could see more than 1 feet of snow from Tuesday through Wednesday evening.