Severe weather conditions are posing a significant risk to approximately 43 million people across the southern United States on Sunday night. Storms are pounding the Lower Mississippi Valley and central Gulf Coast states, bringing the potential for heavy rain, hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes.
The affected area, including Arkansas, northern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle, is under an enhanced risk of severe weather, categorized as Level 3 out of 5.
A tornado watch has been issued, covering a population of 4 million people in Mississippi, eastern Arkansas, northeastern Louisiana, and western Tennessee, including Memphis. The watch is in effect until 2 a.m. ET.
The National Weather Service warns of severe thunderstorms and showers over Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the far western Florida Panhandle. These areas face an increased threat of severe wind gusts exceeding 75 mph.
Power outages have been reported in the South, with over 470,000 customers affected. Oklahoma has more than 220,000 outages, Texas has over 70,000, and Louisiana has approximately 98,000. The Public Service Company of Oklahoma anticipates a multi-day recovery process due to the level of damage and hazards. The City of Tulsa has witnessed significant damage, with numerous downed power poles and lines.
Alongside the severe weather, the Southeast is also dealing with other weather issues. Showers and thunderstorms may result in flooding across the mid-South to the Gulf Coast, potentially causing isolated flash flooding in parts of the Florida Panhandle and northern and central Florida.
While hail and heavy rainfall affect the South, excessive heat warnings have been issued for portions of the Gulf Coast. Approximately 32 million people in central and southern Texas, Louisiana, and southern Mississippi are under heat alerts. Triple-digit temperatures, with heat index values reaching close to 120 degrees, are expected. Some cities are opening cooling centers to help residents cope with the high temperatures.
The recent severe weather comes after deadly storms struck Texas, Florida, and Mississippi. Tornadoes caused significant damage and casualties in Perryton, Texas, while Mississippi experienced home damage and one fatality. In Florida, a person died after a tree fell on their home, and flash flooding emergencies were declared in Escambia County.
The threat of severe weather remains, as many areas previously impacted could see storms return. Cities such as Montgomery and Mobile in Alabama, Little Rock in Arkansas, Jackson in Mississippi, and Tallahassee in Florida are at risk of large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes. A marginal risk exists from South Dakota to Florida, including parts of the mid-Atlantic region, with cities like Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, DC, Denver, and Jacksonville potentially experiencing large hail and damaging winds.
