A series of powerful tornadoes swept through seven southern states over the weekend, leaving at least four people dead, dozens of homes destroyed, and tens of thousands without power. The storms, which brought severe weather to Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia, created treacherous conditions for holiday travelers and caused significant damage across the region.
In McCall Creek, Mississippi, an EF2 tornado tore through the area, ripping the roof off homes and blasting structures apart. Remarkably, a family inside one heavily damaged home survived without injuries.
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The National Weather Service confirmed over a dozen tornadoes across the South, with more damage surveys underway.
“It’s not unheard of, but it is fairly uncommon to have a severe weather outbreak of this magnitude this late in the year,” said Frank Pereira, a meteorologist with the Weather Prediction Center.
In Texas, at least five tornadoes were confirmed in the Houston area. A 48-year-old woman in Brazoria County was found dead about 100 feet from her home. Local officials reported that 40 homes and buildings were significantly damaged, and four people sustained non-critical injuries.
In Mississippi, two fatalities were reported. An 18-year-old died when a tree fell on her home in Natchez, while another person lost their life in Lowndes County. Eight others were injured across the state. The storms also struck Bude and Brandon, tearing roofs off buildings and leaving trails of destruction.
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In North Carolina, a 70-year-old man died when a tree fell on his truck during the storm. “It was just a freak accident,” said Highway Patrol Trooper DJ Maffucci.
As of Sunday afternoon, more than 40,000 people in Mississippi were without power, with thousands more affected in Texas, Alabama, North Carolina, and Georgia, according to PowerOutage.us.
The storms also caused significant disruptions to holiday travel, with over 600 flight delays reported at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Roads were closed in parts of western North Carolina, including sections of the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway, as high winds and rain battered the region.
In Athens, Alabama, storm damage included roofs ripped from buildings and a military helicopter display toppled from its pole. Holly Hollman, a city spokeswoman, noted the timing of the storm likely prevented further injuries. “If it had hit during busy hours, I think we might have had some injuries and possibly some fatalities,” she said.
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In Tennessee, heavy rain exacerbated conditions in areas still recovering from Hurricane Helene, with floodwaters damaging supply tents for disaster relief efforts.
Across the South, residents are beginning the daunting process of cleanup and recovery. In McCall Creek, families are assessing the damage and starting to rebuild their lives. For many, the storms serve as a grim reminder of nature’s power and the importance of preparedness.
Officials continue to survey the affected areas, and the National Weather Service warns that additional damage reports may emerge as the full impact of the storms becomes clear.
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