At least one person is dead as severe storms rip through the South with the threat of long-track tornadoes that could leave widespread devastation in their wake. Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama are on high alert, with a level 4 out of 5 severe weather warning from the Storm Prediction Center.
Already, a powerful tornado has touched down in coastal Texas, and baseball-sized hail smashed car windows in southeast Arkansas. The region is still recovering from several tornadoes that struck just one day earlier, downing trees and tossing debris.
Here’s the latest news as we track the storm system:
(6:51 p.m. ET) Storms Move Into Rolling Fork, Mississippi
A dispatcher in Sharkey County, Mississippi, told us via phone a few minutes ago that emergency services are in the midst of active storm response. The county includes the city of Rolling Fork, devastated by an EF4 tornado last year. About one quarter of all housing units in Rolling Fork are manufactured homes, which are especially vulnerable to severe weather.
(6:09 p.m. ET) No Active Tornadoes – For Now
From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles: :
For the first time since late this afternoon, there are no currently no confirmed tornadoes associated with these storms. But that doesn’t mean anyone should let their guard down. Tornado warnings are still in effect across parts of Louisiana and Mississippi, and the threat continues overnight when tornadoes can often be their deadliest.
(5:57 p.m. ET) Winds Top 80 MPH
Strong winds are knocking down trees and power lines across eastern Louisiana. Here are the highest speeds reported so far:
-81 mph in Fort Johnson, Vernon Parish
-72 mph in Zwolle, Sabine Parish
-64 mph in Boyce, Rapides Parish
(5:51 p.m. ET) Woman Trapped In Home
At least one person was trapped in a house in Bude, Mississippi, in Franklin County, according to reports tracked by NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center. A tree fell on the home when a tornado moved through.
Debris also blocked nearby roadways.
(5:43 p.m. ET) Where Storms Are Most Likely Right Now
From Belles:
The best conditions for severe weather are currently over southern Louisiana where the atmosphere is relatively untouched. Strong tornadoes and damaging wind gusts are most likely there.
Further north, thunderstorms have already taken a toll on the atmosphere. Severe thunderstorms will remain possible, but they may be weaker than storms to the south.
(5:41 p.m. ET) More Than 1,000 Flights Canceled Or Delayed In Dallas
Hundreds of flights are canceled or delayed at Texas airports, on one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. Here are the latest numbers, according to airline tracker FlightAware.
-Dallas-Fort Worth International, 1,087 flights affected
-Dallas Love Field, 222 flights affected
-Houston Bush Intercontinental, 604 flights affected
(5:28 p.m. ET) Power Outages Rise As Storms Trek East
More than 30% of all utility customers in Franklin County, Mississippi, are without power, according to PowerOutage.us. The county is home to the community of Bude, where damage and injuries are being reported.
More than 45,000 power outages are being reported in Texas and about 21,000 in Louisiana.
(5:20 p.m. ET) Damage, Injuries Reported In Mississippi
Damage and injuries are being reported near Bude, Mississippi, a rural community about 60 miles southwest of Jackson. Photos and video show piles of debris from what appear to have been at least one home.
(5:14 p.m. ET) Death Happened In Liverpool, Texas
The death reported earlier in Brazoria County, Texas, happened near the community of Liverpool, about 30 miles south of Houston.
Four people were also injured there, Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Madison Polston told The Associated Press.
(4:36 p.m. ET) Drone Footage Shows Damage In Porter Heights, Texas
(4:21 p.m. ET) Tens Of Thousands Without Power In Texas, Louisiana
About 40,000 power outages are being reported in Texas, according to PowerOutage.us. Most are in the Houston area and to the east. More than 16,000 outages are being reported across the state line in Louisiana.
(4:13 p.m. ET) Mayor Confirms Death In Houston Area
At least one person is dead in Brazoria County, Texas, south of Houston.
“I’ve received confirmation that tragically, one life was lost due to the … storm coming through Brazoria County,” Manvel Mayor Dan Davis wrote in a Facebook update about an hour ago. “Please join me in praying for all those impacted!”
The mayor said the death didn’t happen in his town, but no further details were immediately available.
(4:02 p.m. ET) The Latest Forecast Update
Here’s where we’re at at right now, from Belles:
-We’ve seen a steady stream of tornado warnings for a couple of hours, mainly in southeast Texas and Louisiana, but recently also in southern Mississippi.
-There are multiple spots with damage in Texas. Most notably around the Houston metro in Katy, Porter Heights and Alvin.
-Activity is expected to increase over the next couple of hours.
-Several long-track, long-duration tornadoes are likely through mid to late evening. Destructive wind gusts are also possible.
See the latest forecast here.
(3:53 p.m. ET) Why You Should Never Shelter Under An Overpass
From Belles:
If you must find shelter in the middle of severe weather, seek out a sturdy building such as a store or gas station rather than taking up temporary residence under an overpass. Winds often accelerate through these gaps and can cause serious injury to you. Parking under an overpass also blocks any traffic behind you from getting to a shelter themselves.
MORE: 7 Things You Should Never Forget When Tornadoes Strike
(3:20 p.m. ET) Particularly Dangerous Situation
The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Particularly Dangerous Situation Tornado Watch as the threat for intense, life-threatening tornadoes escalates. This urgent alert reflects a sharp increase in severe weather potential, with communities urged to prepare immediately. The watch includes portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
From Belles:
“A Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) tornado watch is issued when volatile conditions are expected to lead to many tornadoes, including multiple strong (EF2+) tornadoes, widespread destructive wind gusts and very large hail. The tornadoes that form in these areas will be capable of traveling long distances and for long periods.”
(2:31 p.m. ET) Search And Rescue Underway
A confirmed tornado has left significant damage in Porter Heights, Texas, where at least five homes were heavily impacted. Emergency crews are actively conducting search and rescue operations in the area. Residents are urged to stay clear of damaged properties as recovery efforts continue.
(2:23 p.m. ET) Texas: Homes Destroyed In Liverpool, School Hit in Alvin
A radar-confirmed tornado struck near Liverpool and Alvin, Texas, located 30 miles south of Houston. At least one school was damaged near Alvin, Texas, where damage and debris were strewn across its parking lot.
In Liverpool, emergency officials report multiple homes were completely destroyed. Photos show at least one car was flipped upside down and sent crashing into a structure. Emergency services are assessing the damage and assisting residents affected by the destruction.
(1:40 p.m. ET) Texas Tornado Sighted
A powerful storm system tore through residential areas outside of Houston, intensifying as it moved north from Katy through the cities of Waller, Porter Heights and Splendora. The destructive cell spawned at least one tornado, as reports of scattered debris mounted.
In Waller, Texas, a mobile home park was upended, with flipped cars and damage reported. Eyewitnesses filmed some of the destruction in nearby Porter Heights, where roofs were ripped from homes and the fire department sustained significant damage:
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