A strong spring storm has unleashed tornadoes in the Plains and the South, while also causing blizzard conditions in the central and Midwest regions of the United States. The storm started over the weekend and is anticipated to persist until Tuesday.
A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas, extending until 8:00 p.m. CT on Monday. The forecast predicts the possibility of a few tornadoes, along with the likelihood of large hail and wind gusts reaching up to 70 mph.
Severe weather alerts have been issued for a staggering nine million Americans residing in the Lower Mississippi Valley, encompassing a significant portion of Louisiana and Mississippi.
On Sunday, there were reports of five tornadoes, with three occurring in Kansas and two in Texas.
According to the National Weather Service, a tornado in Perryton, Texas, caused damage to the roof of Ochiltree General Hospital.
Perryton currently finds itself under a winter weather advisory. The National Weather Service predicts that the region will experience one to two inches of snow today, potentially hindering their ability to assess the tornado’s strength and survey the damage.
In June 2023, a deadly tornado tore through the small town of Perrytown, claiming the lives of three people, including an 11-year-old boy. Now, over nine months later, another tornado struck the area on Sunday.
A power line, roofs, and fences were reportedly damaged by another Sunday tornado in Garden City, Kansas.
The spring storm is forecasted to intensify as it moves towards East Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi later today. There are concerns of severe weather conditions, including strong tornadoes and damaging winds. Additionally, the region may experience large hail and flash flooding.
One day after the first anniversary of a devastating tornado that struck Rolling Fork, Mississippi finds itself under the threat of tornadoes once again.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a powerful tornado tore through Mississippi on March 24, 2023, resulting in the tragic loss of 25 lives and leaving 55 individuals injured. This devastating event also caused extensive damage to around 2,000 homes, leaving many families displaced and in need of assistance.
The spring storms are expected to reach the Mississippi River, stretching from Louisiana to Missouri, by 6:00 p.m. ET today.
The storms are expected to form a line stretching from near Mobile, Alabama to Atlanta, Georgia by 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning. The most severe weather is anticipated to be experienced in Alabama.
More than 12 million people in 13 states, stretching from New Mexico to Michigan, are currently facing winter weather alerts. This includes a blizzard warning for a significant portion of Nebraska, as well as parts of Colorado, Kansas, South Dakota, and Minnesota.
The storm is forecasted to bring rain to the Northeast region on Wednesday and Thursday. However, it is not expected to cause any major issues apart from wet roads. The storm is expected to weaken by Tuesday.