Severe storms swept through the Southern states over the weekend, leaving behind a trail of destruction and tragedy.

At a Glance

  • Two people were killed by falling trees due to storms in Mississippi and Georgia.
  • Nearly 150,000 people across southern states were without power on Sunday morning.
  • Severe weather warnings continue, with potential tornadoes and destructive winds.
  • Crews are working to restore power and evaluate damages.

Tragic Loss of Lives

Powerful storms brought severe weather to several Southern states, including Mississippi and Georgia, resulting in the loss of two lives. In Mississippi, a person was killed when a tree fell on a vehicle in Lafayette County. Similarly, in Banks County, Georgia, another life was claimed under similar circumstances. Authorities declared multiple tornado warnings across northern Mississippi as the storms intensified.

Georgia’s Governor Brian Kemp expressed condolences for those affected by tweeting, “Join us in praying for the loved ones of a Georgian tragically lost tonight due to the severe storms” – Kemp

Widespread Power Outages

The aftermath of the storm left tens of thousands without power. Nearly 150,000 people experienced outages from Texas to South Carolina. Specific locations like Austin reported over 72,000 homes plunged into darkness. Residents posted concerns about prolonged outages.

“None of this is happening as quickly as any of us would like it to. It’s a tremendous challenge because it’s across our entire service territory and as you can see every situation is a little bit different.” – Mitchell.

Crews are actively working to rectify the situation, with mutual aid enhancing restoration efforts in the areas affected the most.

Storm Predictions and Preparations

As the region grapples with current storm damage, weather forecasts predict another round of severe weather on the horizon. The National Weather Service issued warnings detailing destructive wind gusts and hailstones, alongside the possibility of tornadoes in southern Plains and parts of the South, heightening the ongoing ordeal.

“It’s been a tremendous challenge, one because when that microburst hit late last night, it then immediately was followed by darkness. And there was a ton of devastation out there that until we saw the light of day, we couldn’t accurately assess.” – Austin Energy spokesperson Matt Mitchell.

Emergency preparedness is crucial now more than ever as the affected regions brace for potential repeats of recent chaos. Authorities and communities must prioritize safeguarding life and property in view of severe weather predictions.

Watch coverage here.