A powerful storm system has swept through the U.S. Southeast, triggering numerous tornadoes and causing significant damage. The severe weather, which followed deadly twisters in Texas and Mississippi on Saturday, prompted warnings across multiple states, resulting in widespread power outages and structural damage.
The National Weather Service (NWS) reported approximately 40 preliminary tornado reports from southeastern Texas to Alabama, though confirmation awaits damage surveys. Meteorologist Frank Pereira noted the unusual nature of such a severe weather outbreak so late in the year. The storms are expected to move offshore by Sunday evening, diminishing the immediate threat.
Saturday’s storms caused one fatality in the Liverpool area of Texas, south of Houston, with four others sustaining non-critical injuries. Multiple tornado touchdowns were reported in the county, damaging around 10 homes, with assessments underway to determine the full extent of the impact.
In Mississippi, a fatality was reported in Adams County, and two injuries occurred in Franklin County. The NWS confirmed that two tornadoes impacted the Bude and Brandon areas, tearing roofs off structures. In the Houston area, at least six tornadoes were reported, with damage from both twisters and straight-line winds causing further destruction, particularly to mobile homes in Katy and Porter Heights.
The storm system extended into northern Alabama, impacting the town of Athens, where assessment teams began surveying the damage Sunday morning. As the storms moved east through Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina, severe thunderstorm warnings were issued, with expected wind gusts of 97 km/h.
By Sunday morning, power outages affected nearly 65,000 customers in Mississippi, although down from a peak of 93,000. Additionally, approximately 54,000 customers in Georgia, 36,000 in Alabama, 20,000 in Louisiana, and 13,000 in Texas also experienced power interruptions, highlighting the widespread nature of the storm's impact.
