Tornado watch: Two dead in Alabama as storms tear through South leaving thousands without power
The storm system is forecast to move east today
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The “threat for supercells capable of all severe hazards” continued into Wednesday morning, forecasters said, after tornadoes and severe weather tore through much of the southern US overnight on Tuesday and into Wednesday morning.
At least two people were killed in Montgomery, Alabama, the state’s director of emergency management said, noting that there could be more as search-and-rescue crews began checking on residents and surveying the damage on Wednesday.
“They were in their home that was struck by a tree due to the tornado,” said Christina Thornton.
Parts of Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Tennessee faced at least 17 tornadoes as well as severe flooding and tennis ball-sized hailstones as warnings continued in Alabama into Wednesday morning.
Images and videos of the aftermath of tornadoes showed damaged houses and fallen trees, while injuries began being reported in states like Mississippi and Louisiana.
High winds downed power lines leaving more than 50,000 customers in Mississippi and Alabama without electricity Wednesday morning, according to poweroutage.us.
Threats from the storms were expected to persist through early Wednesday morning. Later today the storm system is forecast to move east.
Golf ball-sized hail in Mississippi wrecks havoc on small town’s city hall
Hail stones crashed against the windows of City Hall in the small town of Tchula, Mississippi, where sirens blared and the mayor and other residents took cover.
“It was hitting against the window, and you could tell that it was nice-sized balls of it,” Mayor Ann Polk said, according to the Associated Press.
Drone footage shows damage in Mississippi from likely tornado
Drone footage from Caledonia, Mississippi on Wednesday morning began showing the full scope of damage that had resulted from Tuesday’s severe weather that tore through the state.
“A likely tornado tore through Caledonia, MS late Tuesday. Here’s what the damage looks like the morning after,” tweeted Weather Nation, while sharing a video clip of homes flattened and roofs blown away.
ICYMI: Six people trapped by tornado in Mississippi rescued
The National Weather Service received reports of people trapped at a grocery store in Caledonia, Mississippi, amid the storms and flooding.
The report was received just after 6pm, Lowndes County Emergency Management Agency Director Cindy Lawrence told WTVA-TV.
The people inside the grocery store made it out safely, she added.
Ms Lawrence also said a family trapped in a house about a kilometre from the store escaped.
Additional reports of property damage near Columbus were received by the NWS, according to Lance Perrilloux, a forecaster with the agency.
Heavy rain and hail as big as tennis balls were also possible as forecasters said the bad weather was expected to continue into Wednesday.
Trees down, buildings damaged and injuries reported across the South
In Sumiton, Alabama, located about 25 miles northwest of Birmingham, the fire and rescue team shared pictures late Tuesday night of the damage from the tornadoes and golf ball-sized hail that ripped through the city and wrecked buildings.
While in Caldwell Parish, Louisiana, located about 32 miles south of Monroe, the damage could to people and homes was beginning to make itself clear early in the morning on Wednesday.
According to local news station KNOE, there were already two injuries reported in the area with debris and wreckage piling up on highways.
Waterspouts reported in Florida Wednesday morning
On Wednesday morning, as a tornado warning was in effect for Panama City Beach, Florida, video footage shared online began capturing what appeared to be a waterspout in the southern US city.
“NEW VIDEO: A tornado warning was issued for Panama City Beach, FL earlier this morning and this is why,” tweeted Weather Nation, while sharing a clip from the perspective of a person’s car that showed what appeared to be a giant grey, swirling tornado.
Later in the day, Weather Nation shared a separate video that appeared to capture a waterspout gaining momentum out on the Florida coast.
Major temperature swings in Texas after record-highs set during Tuesday’s storm
Record highs were set in parts of Texas on Tuesday, with meteorologists attributing the warmer than average temperatures to partially fuelling the severe storm system that surged across the southern US.
On Wednesday, however, the forecast had swung in the other direction, with some parts of the state experiencing a 40-degree drop from the day before.
“The temperature roller coaster doesn’t quit over the next week. Record heat yesterday, winter chill today, warm by Friday, cold again this weekend,” tweeted meteorologist Avery Tomasco.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments