Millions of people across the South were under threat of damaging winds, strong tornadoes and hail Saturday as the region braces for more destructive storms.
Multiple tornadoes have been reported in Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi over the past few days, including an EF1 tornado (winds 86 to 110 mph) near Fullerton, Louisiana, on Friday.
The National Weather Service confirmed five tornadoes in Texas on Thursday, including an EF1 that caused structural damage to some homes in the Houston area.
Manvel, Texas, Mayor Dan Davis announced that one person was killed in a tornado in Brazoria County. He did not provide further details about the death or the identity of the victim.
Another tornado in eastern Montgomery County caused “significant damage,” including to a fire department, but no deaths and only minor injuries were reported, said Jason, deputy chief of staff in County Judge Mark J. Keogh’s office.・Mr. Smith stated.
The East Montgomery County Fire Department confirmed that their station was damaged by the twister.
“Despite the challenges, we remain fully operational and committed to serving our community,” the fire department said in a statement. The statement added that the fire station is powered by a generator.
The risk of additional storms on Saturday extends from Texas to western Georgia, including the cities of Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Monroe, Louisiana. Houston and Dallas. Jackson, Mississippi. Birmingham and Mobile, Alabama.
As the storm line moves eastward, there is a risk of strong tornadoes, destructive wind gusts over 110 mph, and 2-inch hail into Saturday night. Localized flash flooding is also possible.
If a strong tornado were to occur, it would probably happen after dark, given the time of year. Tornadoes at night are more than twice as deadly.
Saturday US weather. (NOAA)
“The strongest storms and strongest (EF2+) tornado threat will be present in the late afternoon into early evening,” the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center said in an X.
A tornado watch was in effect for far eastern Texas, parts of south and central Louisiana, and parts of Arkansas and Mississippi until 9 p.m. CT.
By Sunday, this line of storms will move eastward, with a slight threat of severe weather affecting an additional 24 million people from eastern Alabama to Virginia. Atlanta, Charlotte and Raleigh are included in this risk due to the potential for more tornadoes, damaging wind gusts and large hail.
1:49 PM CST #SPC Day 1 Outlook Moderate Risk: This afternoon and tonight in parts of eastern Texas, central Louisiana, southern Mississippi, and southwest Alabama https://t.co/TgJgC6cQZw pic.twitter.com/QTvFwUsYyZ
— NWS Storm Prediction Center (@NWSSPC) December 28, 2024
As of 5:30 p.m. ET Saturday, there were nearly 7,600 flight delays and 239 cancellations in and out of the United States as the weather persists, according to FlightAware.com.
The majority of cancellations and delays were to and from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, with more than 970 delays and nearly 100 cancellations.
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