A strong storm system tore through the Southeast this weekend, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming at least two lives in Texas and Mississippi. Tornadoes, heavy winds, and severe thunderstorms ravaged communities, causing widespread damage and significant power outages.
Impact in Texas
In Brazoria County, Texas, south of Houston, one person lost their life in the Liverpool area. According to the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office, four others sustained non-critical injuries. Officials reported “multiple touchdown points” across Liverpool, Hillcrest Village, and Alvin, with at least ten homes damaged. Survey teams are working to assess the full extent of the damage.
North of Houston, mobile homes were destroyed or damaged in Katy and Porter Heights. A fire station in Porter Heights sustained severe damage when its doors were blown in. Preliminary reports suggest at least six tornadoes touched down in the Houston area, with more possible as investigations continue.
Mississippi Tornadoes
Mississippi also suffered devastating impacts, with one fatality reported in Adams County and two injuries in Franklin County. Tornadoes struck near Bude and Brandon, ripping roofs from buildings and leaving communities reeling.
Damage Across the Deep South
The storm system continued to barrel eastward on Sunday, hitting Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. The National Weather Service issued severe thunderstorm warnings across the region, with tornado watches in effect for parts of South Carolina. Wind gusts reaching 60 mph caused damage to trees and power lines, particularly in the Spartanburg, South Carolina, area.
In northern Alabama, the town of Athens saw storm damage, and the National Weather Service dispatched teams to assess the area.
Power Outages Widespread
The storms left hundreds of thousands without power. As of 9:00 AM ET on Sunday, outages included:
- Mississippi: Nearly 65,000 customers, down from 93,000 earlier.
- Georgia: 54,000 customers.
- Alabama: 36,000 customers.
- Louisiana: 20,000 customers.
- Texas: 13,000 customers.
Ongoing Risk
The National Weather Service continues to monitor the storm system, which is expected to bring further severe weather as it moves through the Southeast. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and follow updates from local authorities.
This severe weather event highlights the importance of preparedness during the storm season. Stay informed, stay safe, and heed warnings issued by the National Weather Service.