Texas tornadoes cause damage; Severe weather is moving east through the south
- A series of tornadoes began in Texas Monday afternoon, causing damage to homes, businesses and power lines.
- One person died after the tornado pierced the Sherwood Shores, Texas officials told local media.
- The storm system is currently moving east, where more than 50 million people are at risk of severe weather Tuesday and Wednesday.
A storm system has caused at least one death, several injuries and widespread damage Texas and Oklahoma on Monday are forecast to shift eastward and bring severe thunderstorms and possibly tornadoes to millions across the South.
At least 50 million people are threatened by severe storms on Tuesday and Wednesday, Storm Forecast Center said.
Severe weather could affect more than a dozen states from the Southern Plains to the southeast coast, including “severe and life-threatening thunderstorms” and tornadoes like those that have ripped through Texas and parts of Oklahoma on Monday, according to AccuWeather.
Severe thunderstorms and the possibility of some strong tornadoes are forecast for Tuesday for parts of the lower Mississippi Valley and the Central Gulf Coast, including much of Mississippi, Louisiana and western Alabama. , according to the National Weather Service.
Storms can also produce flash flooding, baseball-sized hail, and strong winds with gusts of 80 to 90 mph. Southern Louisiana, much of Mississippi and western Alabama are facing the most significant tornado threats with a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms, according to AccuWeather.
AccuWeather’s forecast also warned of “extreme danger” “rain tornado” occurs when heavy rain reduces a tornado’s visibility, making it difficult for residents to spot the twist and see where it’s headed.
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On Wednesday, the risk of severe thunderstorms will shift further east, bringing severe weather and potential tornadoes to areas from northern Florida to eastern Virginia. AccuWeather forecasters say. Potentially weakening storms could hit the Atlanta area early Wednesday morning.
NWS forecast One “reduce the threat” flooding and severe weather Wednesday with less widespread and significant impact than in previous days.
‘I thought I was going to die’: Tornado tore through Texas, Oklahoma
Tornadoes begins in Texas on Monday afternooncause catastrophic damage to homes, businesses, and power lines.
More than 48,000 homes in Texas remained without power as of Tuesday morning, according to poweroutage.us. Few Schools in the Houston area reopened late Tuesday as thousands of residents face power outages and flash flood warnings.
One person has died after a tornado swept through Sherwood Shores, Texas, injuring several others, Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed to local media.
Further south, three people were seriously injured in Houston County after two mobile homes were destroyed, local media reported. In Elgin, a suburb of Austin, three people injuredTwo of them were rescued Monday night after they became trapped in a collapsed structure, police said.
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Four people were rescued Tuesday after they became trapped under flattened buildings in the town of Bowie, about 70 miles northwest of Fort Worth. Fox 4 News reported. No injuries were reported, according to the news station.
Confirmed tornadoes also caused damage in Round stoneTexas; Granger, Texas; Taylor, Texas; and Kingston’s Oklahoma townaccording to local officials and the National Weather Service.
“I thought I was going to die,” Michael Talamantez told Austin American-Statesman, part of the USA TODAY Network, after his Round Rock home was destroyed by a tornado. Neighbors are scrambling to cover their damaged roofs with tarps before more rain moves in.
Photos showed a storm that tore off walls and roofs of parts of Jacksboro High School and left debris strewn across the city about 60 miles northwest of Fort Worth.
About 60 to 80 homes, as well as Jacksboro’s high school and elementary school, were damaged. WFAA-TV reported. Minor injuries have been reported but all students and school staff are safe, officials said.
Jacksboro High School Principal Starla Sanders told WFAA the damage was difficult to deal with.
“It brought me to tears,” she said. “It’s hard to see. I’ve lived here for 15 years. I love this place.”
Governor Greg Abbott said the storms caused significant damage across Texas.
“We know there are a lot of people who have had their lives completely disrupted and who have lost their homes,” Abbott said.
Contributors: Roberto Villalpando, Claire Osborn and Tony Plohetski, Austin American-Statesman; Related press
Contact News Now Reporter Christine Fernando at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter at @christinetfern.