At least two fatalities and six injuries resulted from multiple tornadoes touching down in Texas and Mississippi on Saturday. Homes were damaged and vehicles overturned as the severe weather system moved eastward into Alabama early Sunday.
The National Weather Service tracked the system’s eastward progress through Alabama and into Georgia before 4 a.m. Severe thunderstorm warnings, including the potential for tornadoes, were issued for western Georgia and Florida’s northwestern panhandle.
One death occurred near Liverpool, south of Houston, with four non-critical injuries reported, according to Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Madison Polston.
The county experienced multiple tornado touchdowns between Liverpool, Hillcrest Village, and Alvin. Authorities confirmed damage to approximately 10 homes, with assessments ongoing.
Mississippi reported one fatality in Adams County and two injuries in Franklin County, per the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.
The National Weather Service confirmed two tornadoes near Bude and Brandon, causing roof damage to multiple buildings.
National Weather Service meteorologist Josh Lichter warned of intensifying storms further east throughout the evening and overnight.
At least six tornadoes appeared to have touched down in the Houston area, with the possibility of more upon damage assessment. Damage resulted from both tornadoes and straight-line winds, Lichter noted.
North of Houston, mobile homes in Katy and Porter Heights sustained damage or destruction; a fire station also suffered damage.
Houston’s Bush Intercontinental and Hobby airports experienced flight delays exceeding an hour on Saturday afternoon, according to FlightAware.
Mississippi reported approximately 71,000 utility customers without power on Saturday, with the number anticipated to increase, stated Malary White, chief communications officer for the state’s Emergency Management Agency.
By 3:30 a.m. Sunday, nearly 81,000 customers remained without power, down from 93,000 around 1 a.m., according to PowerOutage.us.
The emergency management agency lacked official damage reports on Saturday, prioritizing safety and accounting for all individuals, White explained.
More comprehensive damage assessments were anticipated to begin in the early morning hours, she added.
The National Weather Service office in Birmingham, Alabama, issued overnight severe thunderstorm warnings for parts of southern Alabama, urging residents to seek shelter from potential damaging winds up to 60 mph (96.5 kph).
