Powerful storm kills 3 in Virginia, raising death toll to 6

WAVERLY, Va. (AP) — A powerful storm system swept across the East Coast today, killing three people in Virginia and knocking out power to tens of thousands of homes and businesses in the region.

A day earlier, the system spawned about two dozen tornadoes along the Gulf Coast, damaging hundreds of homes in Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida. Three people were killed and dozens were injured.

Forecasters warned the threat wasn't over and that more than 88 million people were at risk today of seeing some sort of severe weather. In the Midwest, heavy snow and biting winds led to mass flight cancellations at Chicago airports and school closings in several states.

In Virginia, the tiny farming town of Waverly in the state's peanut-growing region took the brunt of the storm. The Virginia State Police said at least five structures were damaged in the town of approximately 2,000.

The names of the victims and the circumstances of their deaths were not released.

Roads leading into the town had to be closed because of downed trees and debris tossed by winds gusting to 60 mph, state police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said.

Witnesses said the storm swept through Waverly with little warning.