Severe weather has caused destruction and injuries across several southern US states, including Mississippi and Louisiana, which are at risk of tornados. A powerful tornado tore through the Mississippi Delta, causing injuries and widespread damage, while Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards warned residents to prepare for severe weather, including damaging winds and hail, as the risk of tornados hitting the state overnight increases. In Texas, a suspected tornado caused damage to homes and downed trees and power lines. Meanwhile, southwestern Missouri saw two passengers drown when their car was swept away during torrential rains that were part of the severe weather system. Emergency officials opened more than a half-dozen shelters in Mississippi, and search and rescue teams were active in affected areas. The National Weather Service advised that overnight severe weather poses a greater risk to personal vulnerability as residents are less likely to receive warnings because they are asleep, and tornados are more difficult to spot.
Tornado causes injuries and widespread damage in Mississippi
A powerful tornado ripped through a rural area of the Mississippi Delta on Friday evening, causing injuries and widespread damage. The severe weather produced hail the size of golf balls as it moved through several southern states. The National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado had caused damage about 60 miles northeast of Jackson, Mississippi.
The tornado swept northeast at 70 mph, causing destruction in rural towns like Silver City and Rolling Fork. The National Weather Service issued an alert warning people in the path of the tornado that they were in a “life-threatening situation.” The alert urged people to take cover immediately, warning that flying debris could be deadly to those caught without shelter. The tornado was expected to continue racing towards Alabama through towns like Winona and Amory, causing complete destruction.
Cornel Knight and his family were at a relative’s home in Rolling Fork when the tornado struck. He described the sky as dark and said that he could see the direction from every transformer that blew. As the tornado approached, Knight watched from a doorway until it was less than a mile away. He then urged everyone in the house to take cover in a hallway. The tornado struck another relative’s home across a wide cornfield from where he was, causing a wall in that home to collapse and trapping several people inside.
Rolling Fork mayor Eldridge Walker was unable to get out of his damaged home soon after the tornado hit because power lines were down. Emergency responders were trying to take injured people to hospitals, but the number of people hurt is currently unknown.
The Sharkey-Issaquena Community Hospital on the west side of Rolling Fork was damaged, according to WAPT. The Sharkey County Sheriff’s Office in Rolling Fork reported gas leaks and people trapped in piles of rubble, according to the Vicksburg News. Some law enforcement units were unaccounted for in Sharkey, according to the newspaper.
The tornado continued to cause destruction as it moved towards Alabama, leaving behind a path of devastation in its wake. The National Weather Service warned people in the affected areas to remain vigilant and take cover if necessary to stay safe.
Severe weather causes destruction in southern US states
Several southern US states have experienced severe weather that caused destruction and injuries. In Mississippi, a powerful tornado tore through a rural area of the Mississippi Delta, causing injuries and widespread damage. Rolling Fork and Silver City were among the rural towns that reported destruction, and the tornado continued to sweep northeast towards Alabama through towns like Winona and Amory.
The National Weather Service issued an alert that urged people to take cover immediately as the tornado approached, warning that flying debris could be deadly to those caught without shelter. The tornado caused complete destruction in some areas.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves tweeted that search and rescue teams were active, and officials were sending more ambulances and emergency assets to those affected. Emergency officials opened more than a half-dozen shelters in the state.
In southwestern Missouri, two passengers drowned when their car was swept away during torrential rains that were part of the severe weather system. The car was swept away as it tried to cross a bridge over a flooded creek in the town of Grovespring. The driver told authorities that the rain made it difficult to see that water from a creek had covered the bridge.
The search continued in another southwestern Missouri county for a woman who was missing after flash flooding from a small river washed a car off the road. Two others who were in the car were rescued, but there was no sign of the woman. Crews planned to use boats and have searchers walking along the riverbank.
The severe weather was expected across several states, with the Storm Prediction Center warning that the greatest threat of tornadoes would come in portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Storms with damaging winds and hail were forecast in other areas.
More than 49,000 customers had lost power in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee as of Friday night, according to poweroutage.us. The severe weather caused destruction and injuries, leaving behind a path of devastation in its wake.
Stay vigilant and stay safe tonight, Mississippi!
Louisiana Governor warns residents of potential tornados
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has warned residents to prepare for severe weather, including damaging winds and hail, as the risk of tornados hitting the state overnight increases. The National Weather Service has advised that overnight severe weather poses a greater risk to personal vulnerability as residents are less likely to receive warnings because they are asleep, and tornados are more difficult to spot.
In neighbouring Texas, a suspected tornado caused damage to homes and downed trees and power lines in the southwest corner of Wise County at around 5 am. No injuries were reported, but damage to homes was also reported in Parker County. The National Weather Service had not confirmed the presence of a tornado.
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