A severe weather system continues to wreak havoc across the southeastern United States, moving toward the East Coast after devastating parts of Texas and Mississippi. At least two people have been killed, and tens of thousands remain without power as tornadoes, thunderstorms, and heavy rain batter the region.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), over 20 million people from the eastern Gulf Coast to the Carolinas are at risk of extreme weather as the storm system moves eastward on Sunday. NWS has issued warnings for Sunday, forecasting dangerous weather conditions in areas including Georgia, Florida, and the Carolinas. Severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes, damaging winds, and hail are expected to impact cities such as Jacksonville, Charlotte, and Raleigh, while additional tornado watches remain in effect for parts of Georgia and the Carolinas.
Saturday's storms caused widespread destruction in the southern U.S., with more than 30 tornadoes reported across Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves confirmed one death in Adams County and several injuries. In Texas, another fatality was reported in Liverpool by the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office. The destruction left homes flattened, trees uprooted, and power lines downed, leaving residents struggling to recover.
As the storm system moves east, heavy rainfall and high winds continue to pose a significant threat. The NWS reported severe thunderstorm warnings across Alabama and Georgia, with excessive rainfall expected to affect cities like Atlanta and Raleigh. Weather forecasters anticipate up to two inches of rain in some areas, raising concerns about localized flooding.
The storms have caused significant disruptions to daily life. Power outages remain a major issue, with over 180,000 customers left without electricity as of Sunday afternoon, according to PowerOutage.us. North Carolina accounted for the highest number of outages, followed by Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama. Efforts to restore power are underway, but conditions remain challenging in the hardest-hit areas.
Air travel has also been severely impacted. Charlotte Douglas International Airport reported nearly 350 delayed flights and over 30 cancellations, with other major airports experiencing similar disruptions. Flights into and out of Houston and Miami were among those most affected, according to FlightAware.
Emergency services are working around the clock to respond to the widespread damage. In Louisiana and Texas, preliminary reports indicate five tornadoes caused extensive structural damage. Meanwhile, in Mississippi, Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport temporarily lost power due to the storms, though operations have since resumed.
The storms have left many communities grappling with the aftermath. Residents have described harrowing experiences as tornadoes tore through their neighborhoods, leaving a trail of destruction. Recovery efforts are in full swing, but the damage will take weeks, if not months, to repair.
