A powerful storm is unleashing heavy rainfall and destructive tornadoes across the Southern region. The severe weather spans from Texas to Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.
Mississippi Emergency Management officials have reported one death in Scott County, Mississippi.
Officials have reported that one person in Mississippi was injured and a total of 72 homes across the state have suffered damage.
As of now, there have been three confirmed tornadoes, with two occurring in Louisiana and one in Texas.
A confirmed tornado tore through Slidell, Louisiana, wreaking havoc on the town located just 30 miles outside of New Orleans. The powerful winds damaged buildings and brought down power lines, all while the rain relentlessly pounded the area.
Over 50 individuals have already been rescued in Slidell, with several of them being transported to hospitals for treatment. Fortunately, none of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening. A significant number of these injuries were sustained at an apartment complex that suffered extensive damage, including the complete removal of the second-floor roof.
During a press conference on Wednesday evening, Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal assured the public that no fatalities or significant injuries were reported in the aftermath of the tornado.
According to Fandal, the damage in Slidell and parts of St. Tammany Parish has been described by authorities as “catastrophic.”
Authorities have reported that the storm caused significant damage to hundreds of homes in St. Tammany Parish, with a slightly lower number of homes affected within the city limits of Slidell. Slidell Fire Chief Chris Kaufmann, during a briefing, mentioned that over 50 individuals had to be evacuated from an apartment complex that was damaged by the storm.
A tornado watch is still in effect until Wednesday evening for the coastal areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and near Panama City, Florida.
Torrential rain poses a significant risk, as it can lead to severe flooding.
Over 150,000 customers in Louisiana experienced power outages, leading to the closure of numerous schools across the state.
