Severe tornado outbreaks swept through the southern United States over the weekend, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming at least four lives.
The National Weather Service (NWS) recorded 45 reports of tornado activity across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. Meteorologists are conducting damage surveys to confirm the tornadoes’ paths and intensity.
The storms disrupted holiday travel, creating hazardous road conditions and causing delays or cancellations at major U.S. airports.
“It’s unusual but not unheard of to see such severe weather this late in the year,” said Frank Pereira, a meteorologist with the NWS Weather Prediction Centre.
Widespread Damage and Fatalities
In the Houston area, survey teams confirmed five tornadoes on Saturday. In Brazoria County, south of Houston, a 48-year-old woman was found dead approximately 100 feet from her home in Liverpool. Four others sustained non-critical injuries, and at least 40 homes were heavily damaged, according to Madison Polston of the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office.
In Montgomery County, north of Houston, around 30 homes were destroyed, and 50 others sustained significant damage, county official Jason Smith reported.
Elsewhere, a 70-year-old man in Statesville, North Carolina, was killed when a tree crushed his truck during the storm. State Highway Patrol Trooper DJ Maffucci described the incident as a “freak accident,” stating that the man likely died instantly.
In Mississippi, two fatalities were reported. An 18-year-old woman was killed when a tree fell on her home in Adams County, injuring two others. Another person lost their life in Lowndes County, and eight more were injured across the state. Tornadoes struck the towns of Bude and Brandon, causing extensive roof damage.
Power Outages and Rescue Efforts
As of Sunday afternoon, over 40,000 people in Mississippi remained without power, according to PowerOutage.us. Texas, Alabama, North Carolina, and Georgia each reported about 10,000 customers without electricity.
The storms left a stark reminder of nature’s unpredictability, prompting officials to urge residents to remain vigilant during the holiday season. Emergency teams continue to assess the damage and assist affected communities.
