Severe storms have battered parts of the U.S. Southeast, triggering tornado warnings, flash flooding, and power outages. The storm system, responsible for one fatality in Mississippi, wreaked havoc in the New Orleans area, demolishing buildings and inundating streets. As the system moved eastward, it continued to generate flash flood and tornado warnings in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.
Early Thursday, over 100,000 customers were without power nationwide, with Georgia bearing the brunt of the outages. Forecasters are now focusing on parts of Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia as potential areas for tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail.
In Augusta, Georgia, the start of the prestigious Masters golf tournament was delayed due to forecasted high wind gusts. Torrential rains in Valdosta, Georgia, rendered roads impassable, while Tallahassee, Florida, experienced tree damage and significant street flooding.
From Texas to the Florida Panhandle, reports of damage have emerged. A tornado struck Slidell, Louisiana, causing extensive damage to homes and businesses. Despite the destruction, there were no reports of fatalities or critical injuries in Slidell.
New Orleans faced challenges with its drainage system as nearly 8 inches of rain fell, leading to localized flooding. Tragically, a woman in central Mississippi lost her life due to a power outage affecting her oxygen machine. In Texas, flooding in Jasper County prompted multiple rescues, while a weak tornado caused damage in a Houston suburb.
As the storm system progresses, authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety. The widespread impact of these severe storms serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable and destructive nature of extreme weather events.
