STORM CHAOS Hits South – 2 DEAD!

Massive storms devastated the southern United States this past weekend, leading to tragic fatalities and widespread power outages.

At a Glance

• Two fatalities reported due to falling trees in Mississippi and Georgia.
• Tens of thousands without power following severe weather.
• Northern Mississippi faced multiple tornado warnings.
• Next round of severe weather anticipated in southern Plains.

Fatalities and Widespread Damage

The South experienced a violent weather system over the weekend, resulting in tragic accidents. In Mississippi’s Lafayette County, a tree fell on a vehicle, killing one person. Similarly, in Georgia, another fatality occurred in Banks County due to another fallen tree on a car. Local officials issued multiple tornado warnings in northern Mississippi, adding to the turbulent conditions.

Watch coverage here.

These adverse weather conditions left nearly 150,000 residents from Texas to South Carolina without power. Heavy rainfall, hail, and strong winds not only uprooted trees but also snapped power lines, impacting the lives of tens of thousands of residents and businesses. Utility crews are toiling tirelessly to restore services and provide relief to those affected.

Impact on Austin, Texas

Among the affected regions, Austin, Texas, encountered severe weather challenges, causing substantial power interruptions. Over 72,000 homes lost electricity due to storm-related damages like uprooted trees and intense gales. Residents like Carlene Wegmann-Todd articulated frustrations over repeated power losses and deficient communication from Austin Energy.

“We have dogs and animals and stuff. So that is inconvenient, but we’ve had our power go out a lot.” – North Austin resident Carlene Wegmann-Todd.

Restoration teams comprising hundreds of linemen are actively working to revive power in Austin, with mutual aid crews contributing to these efforts. Additionally, utility companies encouraged residents to report outages using text or online maps for efficient restoration.

Preparing for More Severe Weather

An alert remains active as forecasters predict another line of severe weather for the southern Plains and South on Sunday evening and Monday. The areas at highest risk include southwest Oklahoma and northern Texas, where wind gusts up to 100 mph and large hail are anticipated. Weather services have issued advisories for potential tornadoes, urging residents to remain vigilant and prepared.

“It’s been a tremendous challenge, one because when that microburst hit late last night, it then immediately was followed by darkness. And there was a ton of devastation out there that until we saw the light of day, we couldn’t accurately assess.” – Austin Energy spokesperson Matt Mitchell.

These storms highlight the resilience of affected communities working to recover, as emergency responders and residents collaborate to rebuild in the face of significant adversity.