Southeast US Faces Deadly Tornadoes and Power Outages Amid Intense Storms

Severe Storms Impact Southeastern U.S., Causing Injuries and Fatalities

A robust storm system moved across the southeastern United States on Sunday, increasing the risk of tornadoes as it impacted several states. This follows a deadly day of severe weather that resulted in at least two fatalities in Texas and Mississippi.

The National Weather Service projected continued threats of “gusty, damaging winds,” hail, and tornado activity throughout Sunday. Meteorologist Frank Pereira reported approximately 40 tornado sightings from southeastern Texas to Alabama; however, these reports remain unverified pending further assessments of the damage.

Pereira noted, “It’s not unheard of but it is fairly uncommon to have a severe weather outbreak of this magnitude this late in the year.” As the storm systems progressed eastward, they are expected to move offshore, reducing the risk of severe weather later in the day.

Saturday’s storms claimed a life in Liverpool, south of Houston. In that incident, four others sustained non-critical injuries, according to Madison Polston from the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office. Local officials reported around ten homes with damage, but thorough evaluations are underway.

On the same day, at least five tornadoes were documented in the Houston area, leading National Weather Service crews to plan damage surveys. In Mississippi, one fatality was recorded in Adams County, alongside two injuries in Franklin County, as indicated by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.

The weather service confirmed that tornadoes damaged several structures in Bude and Brandon, Mississippi. In Houston, initial reports suggested at least six tornado touchdowns, with potential for more assessments revealing additional occurrences.

In Katy and Porter Heights, mobile homes faced significant destruction, with a fire station’s doors blown in due to the storm’s intensity. The adverse weather also caused damage in Athens, Alabama — a town located northwest of Huntsville — where surveys are scheduled for Sunday morning.

Local resident Holly Hollman described extensive destruction near downtown, with HVAC units hurled off buildings and roofs torn away. “I stepped out on my porch and I could hear it roar,” she recounted. Hollman expressed relief that the storm struck late at night, avoiding busier daytime hours that could have resulted in more injuries.

As the storms advanced through the Deep South, the National Weather Service issued severe thunderstorm warnings across Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. Wind gusts reaching up to 60 mph were anticipated in Spartanburg, South Carolina, alongside warnings of potential damage to trees and power lines.

Power outages were widespread, affecting around 65,000 customers in Mississippi as of 9 a.m. Sunday ET. This was a decrease from 93,000 earlier. Georgia reported approximately 54,000 outages, Alabama 36,000, Louisiana 20,000, and Texas 13,000.