Mario Mendoza carries items out of a friend's storm-damaged home Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas. A powerful storm system took aim at Gulf Coast Tuesday, spawning tornados that caused damage east of Houston.
People cross under downed power lines where a tornado was reported to pass along Mickey Gilley Boulevard near Fairmont Parkway, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas.
Mark Mulligan - member image share, Houston Chronicle
A man walks through a parking lot containing multiple overturned vehicles, including a trailer that was in a parking lot across the street, according to people at the scene, where a tornado was reported to pass along Mickey Gilley Boulevard near Fairmont Parkway, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas.
Mark Mulligan - member image share, Houston Chronicle
A home is damaged on Kent Drive where a tornado was reported to pass near Mickey Gilley Blvd. and Fairmont Parkway, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas.
Mark Mulligan - member image share, Houston Chronicle
John Liparito surveys storm damage Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas. A powerful storm system took aim at Gulf Coast Tuesday, spawning tornados that caused damage east of Houston.
Johnny Graham walks past his storm-damaged office on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas. A powerful storm system took aim at the Gulf Coast Tuesday, spawning tornados that caused damage east of Houston.
A man walks by a former CrossFit gym that collapsed where a tornado was reported to pass along Mickey Gilley Boulevard near Fairmont Parkway, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas.
Mark Mulligan - member image share, Houston Chronicle
A camping trailer sits in a retention pond where a tornado was reported to pass along Mickey Gilley Blvd., near Fairmont Parkway, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas.
Mark Mulligan - member image share, Houston Chronicle
A camping trailer sits in a retention pond where a tornado was reported to pass along Mickey Gilley Blvd., near Fairmont Parkway, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas.
Mark Mulligan - member image share, Houston Chronicle
Flares burn at refineries east of the Sam Houston Parkway where a tornado was reported to pass along Mickey Gilley Boulevard near Fairmont Parkway, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas.
Mark Mulligan - member image share, Houston Chronicle
Johnny Graham, back, walks past his storm damaged office Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas. A powerful storm system took aim at Gulf Coast Tuesday, spawning tornados that caused damage east of Houston.
A piece of a building is wrapped around a tree where a tornado was reported to pass along Mickey Gilley Boulevard near Fairmont Parkway, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas.
Mark Mulligan - member image share, Houston Chronicle
A man walks past destroyed buildings where a tornado was reported to pass along Mickey Gilley Blvd. near Fairmont Parkway, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas.
Mark Mulligan - member image share, Houston Chronicle
An overturned RV smashes against another RV in a parking lot by a Moose Lodge where a tornado was reported to pass along Mickey Gilley Boulevard near Fairmont Parkway, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas.
Mark Mulligan - member image share, Houston Chronicle
Johnny Graham surveys storm damage Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas. A powerful storm system took aim at Gulf Coast Tuesday, spawning tornados that caused damage east of Houston.
Storm damage is shown inside the home of Manuel Mendez Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas. A powerful storm system took aim at Gulf Coast Tuesday, spawning tornados that caused damage east of Houston.
Salt trucks leave the Wayne County Department of Public Services, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in Wayne, Mich. Road crews were out in full force on Wednesday as a storm system threatened to dump a half-foot of snow in the Detroit area with more expected later in the week.
A salt truck pulls into the Wayne County Department of Public Services, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in Wayne, Mich. Road crews were out in full force on Wednesday as a storm system threatened to dump a half-foot of snow in the Detroit area with more expected later in the week.
A Wayne County Department of Public Services truck salts a road, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in Wayne, Mich. Road crews were out in full force on Wednesday as a storm system threatened to dump a half-foot of snow in the Detroit area with more expected later in the week.
A Wayne County Department of Public Services truck salts a road, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in Wayne, Mich. Road crews were out in full force on Wednesday as a storm system threatened to dump a half-foot of snow in the Detroit area with more expected later in the week.
A salt truck is loaded at the Wayne County Department of Public Services, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in Wayne, Mich. Road crews were out in full force on Wednesday as a storm system threatened to dump a half-foot of snow in the Detroit area with more expected later in the week.
Darren Hamilton, Wayne County Roads highway district supervisor salts a road, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in Wayne, Mich. Road crews were out in full force on Wednesday as a storm system threatened to dump a half-foot of snow in the Detroit area with more expected later in the week.
Storm system dumps heavy, wet snow on Indiana and Michigan
Heavy, wet snow — part of a storm system that spawned tornadoes in the Houston area — has covered roads, vehicles, houses and buildings from central and northern Indiana into much of southeastern Michigan
By RICK CALLAHAN and MIKE HOUSEHOLDER - Associated Press
Mario Mendoza carries items out of a friend's storm-damaged home Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas. A powerful storm system took aim at Gulf Coast Tuesday, spawning tornados that caused damage east of Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Mario Mendoza carries items out of a friend's storm-damaged home Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas. A powerful storm system took aim at Gulf Coast Tuesday, spawning tornados that caused damage east of Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
People cross under downed power lines where a tornado was reported to pass along Mickey Gilley Boulevard near Fairmont Parkway, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas. (Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle via AP)
A man walks through a parking lot containing multiple overturned vehicles, including a trailer that was in a parking lot across the street, according to people at the scene, where a tornado was reported to pass along Mickey Gilley Boulevard near Fairmont Parkway, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas. (Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle via AP)
The Exxon Mobil Baytown Olefins Plant is seen after high winds and rains ripped through the region, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Baytown, Texas. (Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle via AP)
A home is damaged on Kent Drive where a tornado was reported to pass near Mickey Gilley Blvd. and Fairmont Parkway, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas. (Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle via AP)
A UPS truck is overturned where a tornado was reported to pass along Fairmont Parkway, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas. (Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle via AP)
John Liparito surveys storm damage Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas. A powerful storm system took aim at Gulf Coast Tuesday, spawning tornados that caused damage east of Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Johnny Graham walks past his storm-damaged office on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas. A powerful storm system took aim at the Gulf Coast Tuesday, spawning tornados that caused damage east of Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
A man walks by a former CrossFit gym that collapsed where a tornado was reported to pass along Mickey Gilley Boulevard near Fairmont Parkway, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas. (Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle via AP)
A camping trailer sits in a retention pond where a tornado was reported to pass along Mickey Gilley Blvd., near Fairmont Parkway, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas. (Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle via AP)
A camping trailer sits in a retention pond where a tornado was reported to pass along Mickey Gilley Blvd., near Fairmont Parkway, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas. (Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle via AP)
Flares burn at refineries east of the Sam Houston Parkway where a tornado was reported to pass along Mickey Gilley Boulevard near Fairmont Parkway, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas. (Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle via AP)
Johnny Graham, back, walks past his storm damaged office Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas. A powerful storm system took aim at Gulf Coast Tuesday, spawning tornados that caused damage east of Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
A piece of a building is wrapped around a tree where a tornado was reported to pass along Mickey Gilley Boulevard near Fairmont Parkway, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas. (Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle via AP)
A man walks past destroyed buildings where a tornado was reported to pass along Mickey Gilley Blvd. near Fairmont Parkway, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas. (Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle via AP)
An overturned RV smashes against another RV in a parking lot by a Moose Lodge where a tornado was reported to pass along Mickey Gilley Boulevard near Fairmont Parkway, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas. (Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle via AP)
Johnny Graham surveys storm damage Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas. A powerful storm system took aim at Gulf Coast Tuesday, spawning tornados that caused damage east of Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Storm damage is shown inside the home of Manuel Mendez Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Pasadena, Texas. A powerful storm system took aim at Gulf Coast Tuesday, spawning tornados that caused damage east of Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Salt trucks leave the Wayne County Department of Public Services, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in Wayne, Mich. Road crews were out in full force on Wednesday as a storm system threatened to dump a half-foot of snow in the Detroit area with more expected later in the week. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
A salt truck pulls into the Wayne County Department of Public Services, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in Wayne, Mich. Road crews were out in full force on Wednesday as a storm system threatened to dump a half-foot of snow in the Detroit area with more expected later in the week. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
A Wayne County Department of Public Services truck salts a road, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in Wayne, Mich. Road crews were out in full force on Wednesday as a storm system threatened to dump a half-foot of snow in the Detroit area with more expected later in the week. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
A Wayne County Department of Public Services truck salts a road, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in Wayne, Mich. Road crews were out in full force on Wednesday as a storm system threatened to dump a half-foot of snow in the Detroit area with more expected later in the week. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
A salt truck is loaded at the Wayne County Department of Public Services, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in Wayne, Mich. Road crews were out in full force on Wednesday as a storm system threatened to dump a half-foot of snow in the Detroit area with more expected later in the week. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Darren Hamilton, Wayne County Roads highway district supervisor salts a road, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in Wayne, Mich. Road crews were out in full force on Wednesday as a storm system threatened to dump a half-foot of snow in the Detroit area with more expected later in the week. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
A seagull stands on Columbia Beach on a snowy day Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
A person walks along the pier at Loyola Beach on a snowy day Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
A person walks along North Shore Beach on a snowy day Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Heavy, wet snow — part of a storm system that spawned tornadoes in the Houston area — has covered roads, vehicles, houses and buildings Wednesday from central and northern Indiana into much of southeastern Michigan.
About six inches of snow was expected to fall on the Detroit area, while four inches was reported before noon in eastern Indiana, just southwest of Fort Wayne, said Maddi Johnson of the National Weather Service in northern Indiana.
The storm on Wednesday was expected to bring damaging winds to parts of Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas, forecasters said. Winter weather advisories stretched from southern Missouri to Maine, with areas of New England expected to see 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 centimeters) of snow, the National Weather Service said.
Fort Wayne, Indiana, has seen numerous crashes due to the snowfall on the roads.
“People are sliding off exit ramps on the highways," Johnson added. “They’re just driving too fast for the conditions.”
Just north of Indianapolis, some power outages were reported in Hamilton County as the wet snow accumulated on power lines, said meteorologist Gregory Melo with the weather service’s Indianapolis office.
Indianapolis had recorded 2.8 inches by about 11:30 a.m. Wednesday and while the snow was still falling it was expected to end by early afternoon. Total snowfall amounts were projected to range from 5 to 8 inches to the north and northeast of Indianapolis by mid to late afternoon.
“This is one of the first big snowfalls we’ve had,” said Scott Cabauatan, deputy director of public services in Wayne County, which includes Detroit. “This snowfall poses a concern from the aspect that it’s a wet, heavy snow versus a lighter snow.”
Cabauatan said crews will roughly clear on one regular pass just under 5,000 lane miles of roadway. "We will have right around 100 pieces of equipment and operators working” at any given time to salt and clear roadways of snow and ice, he added.
Snow also is in the forecast for late in the week and over the weekend. “We’re anticipating many days on end of working here and being in the trucks,” Cabauatan said.
Schools and businesses remained closed Wednesday in parts of Oklahoma, which saw snowfall totals of between 1 and 6 inches (3 and 15 centimeters) across central and eastern parts of the state. More than 160,000 homes and businesses were without power Wednesday morning in northern Arkansas and southern Missouri after heavy snow fell in the Ozarks a day earlier.
On Tuesday, forecasters issued a rare tornado emergency for the Houston area as the storm system moved through the heavily populated area. Substantial damage was reported in cities east of Houston, but there were no reports of injuries.
In Louisiana, three people suffered “mild to moderate injuries” when their mobile homes were flipped or destroyed after a tornado hit the Morel Lane area north of Baton Rouge, the Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff's Office said.
In Texas, several businesses in Pasadena, east of Houston, sustained major damage, including the city’s animal shelter.
Householder reported from Wayne, Michigan. Associated Press writers Jill Bleed in Little Rock, Arkansas, David Phillip in Pasadena, Texas, and Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City contributed to this report.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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