A severe storm system continues to wreak havoc across the southern United States, with large tornadoes causing destruction for a second consecutive day. The potential for EF-4 or EF-5 tornadoes, which are among the most destructive, looms heavily as forecasters issue numerous warnings throughout Mississippi and Alabama. The National Weather Service urges residents to stay vigilant and heed warnings, emphasising that this situation has escalated from a risk to an ongoing disaster.
The storms are producing powerful tornadoes identified by significant debris signature on radar, indicating their destructive force. One tornado in Mississippi even prompted a tornado emergency after it was detected hurling debris up to 8 kilometres in the air. Following a night of devastation in the Midwest, which resulted in at least 11 fatalities in Missouri, the extent of the damage remains unclear. The wild weather is part of an expansive low-pressure system that has claimed at least 17 lives and brought hurricane-force winds, dust storms, and wildfires to the central US.
Mississippi is now the epicentre of a severe tornado outbreak, with forecasters warning that some of these tornadoes could reach EF-4 to EF-5 strength. States of emergency have been declared to alert residents of the dangerous conditions. A particularly severe tornado watch affecting over three million people in parts of Louisiana and Mississippi indicates a heightened risk of strong storms.
Friday night’s storm activity resulted in numerous casualties in Missouri and vehicle accidents in Texas, exacerbated by severe dust storms. Reports indicate that multiple fatalities and injuries occurred due to accident-related incidents across these areas. Arkansas also faced severe weather, with three deaths and several injuries recorded.
As the system advances into Saturday, significant tornadoes are forecasted throughout the Deep South, marking the first high-risk alert issued for severe thunderstorms since May of last year. This indicates an unusual confidence among meteorologists that Saturday could bring devastating weather.
The upcoming storms pose the risk of destructive winds exceeding 119 km/h and large hail. Residents are advised that nighttime tornadoes increase the likelihood of fatalities, making immediate action essential. The unfolding situation demands urgent attention as the weather conditions will impact numerous regions, including urban centres like Atlanta, later in the evening. The potential for severe weather highlights the dire need for preparedness and swift response measures to protect communities in the affected regions.