Severe thunderstorms disrupted Labor Day weekend plans across much of the eastern United States, bringing power outages, travel delays and heavy rain to millions.

Strong storms rolled through Georgia on Saturday, knocking out power to nearly 70,000 customers. Georgia Power reported more than 47,000 outages statewide by late evening, with the majority in the metro Atlanta area. Downed trees and power lines were the primary cause, according to utility officials. Another 20,000 customers served by Georgia EMC cooperatives also lost service, with most reports concentrated in the Atlanta region.

Severe thunderstorm watches covered parts of North Carolina and South Carolina through Saturday evening, affecting cities including Raleigh, Charlotte and Greenville. The main threats included damaging wind gusts. On Sunday, the risk shifted southward into South Carolina and Georgia.

Travel faced significant hurdles earlier in the week. Thunderstorms across the Northeast on Thursday triggered lengthy delays at New York’s LaGuardia Airport during the busy holiday rush. The Federal Aviation Administration placed the airport under traffic management programs, with average delays reaching about 54 minutes and some departures held over an hour.

Broader severe weather threats extended across the Midwest, Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic, impacting more than 50 million people at various points. Scattered storms also affected the Southeast, Gulf Coast and other regions, with additional isolated activity possible into Monday.

Many areas experienced hot and humid conditions alongside the storms. Heat indices climbed into the triple digits in parts of the South, while cooler air moved into the Northeast behind the frontal system.

Restoration efforts continued Sunday in Georgia and other hard-hit zones, with utilities urging customers to check online for estimated times. Outdoor holiday events faced cancellations or postponements in storm-prone areas as forecasters monitored lingering moisture and instability.