By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-29 17:46:35 | Updated at 2025-01-01 15:56:35
2 days ago
Rare December tornadoes have torn through the South, with 40 reports from Texas to Alabama over the Christmas period claiming at least two lives.
Dramatic videos captured the moment deadly twisters touched down in the Lone Star State and Mississippi on Saturday, obliterating homes, downing power lines and grounding travel to a halt in some areas.
National Weather Service meteorologist Frank Pereira said more 'gusty, damaging winds', hail and tornadoes are expected to barrel through the south on Sunday as the storm system tracks north towards Georgia and the Carolinas.
So far, the line of severe weather has led to about 40 tornado reports from southeastern Texas to Alabama, according to Pereira, but those reports remain unconfirmed until surveys of damage are completed.
'It's not unheard of but it is fairly uncommon to have a severe weather outbreak of this magnitude this late in the year,' he said.
The storms will continue to slide east until they eventually move offshore, meaning severe weather risks will dwindle into Sunday evening.
The National Weather Service has issued severe thunderstorm warnings across portions of the Deep South for Sunday.
Wind gusts of 60 mph (97 kph) were expected in the Spartanburg, South Carolina, area. Damage to trees and powerlines was expected in a number of counties, while a tornado watch was in effect for some parts of the state.
Rare December tornadoes have torn through the South, with 40 reports from Texas to Alabama over the Christmas period claiming at least two lives. (Pictured: a tornado crossing a field in Katy, Texas, on Saturday)
Bystanders hug as first responders work to free a victim after a tree fell on a house in Natchez, Miss., Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024
The Storm Prediction Center has increased the risk of a tornado to a level 4, with a tornado watch issued for parts of eastern Texas, and storm watches in Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia.
At 9 a.m. Sunday ET, nearly 65,000 customers were without power in Mississippi, down from 93,000 around 1 a.m., according to electric utility tracking website PowerOutage.us.
Some 54,000 customers were without power in Georgia, 36,000 in Alabama, 20,000 in Louisiana, and 13,000 in Texas.
Meanwhile, more than 15,000 flights have been hit with delays and 612 canceled in or out of the US as of Sunday morning, according to FlightAware.com.
On Saturday, one person died in the Liverpool area, located south of Houston, Texas. Four people suffered injuries that were not considered critical, according to Madison Polston of the Brazoria County Sheriff´s Office.
There were 'multiple touchdown points' in the county between Liverpool, Hillcrest Village and Alvin. Officials knew of around 10 damaged homes but were working to determine the extent of the damage, Polston said.
In Mississippi, one person died in Adams County and two people were injured in Franklin County, according to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.
A mobile home sits damaged following a tornado that went through Katy, Texas, Saturday
Neighbors move debris from a woman's home after strong thunderstorms pass through the Greater Houston region, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Porter Heights
Severe weather across is expected to ramp up again across the South from Texas to Alabama
More than 15,000 flights have been hit with delays and 612 have been canceled in or out of the US as of Sunday morning, according to FlightAware.com
The National Weather Service confirmed two tornadoes hit around Bude and the city of Brandon, ripping roofs from several buildings on Saturday.
It appeared at least six tornadoes touched down in the Houston area, though more may be discovered when crews go out to survey the damage.
There was damage in the area from both tornadoes and straight-line winds, according to Josh Lichter, meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
North of Houston, mobile homes were damaged or destroyed in Katy and Porter Heights, where the doors of a fire station were blown in, the weather service said.
Storm damage has been reported in the northern Alabama town of Athens, just northwest of Huntsville. A National Weather Service survey team was expected to begin assessing damage Sunday morning, said meteorologist Chelly Amin.
In the West, a series of river-fueled storms are bringing high wands, heavy rain and mountain snow across the Pacific Northwest and Rockies.
Footage on social media shows tornadoes forming across parts of Texas.
One video shared by a Robert Perry showed a twister passing his home near Brookshire in the The Lone Star State.
Debris clings to power lines following a tornado that went through Katy, Texas, Saturday
States including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama were all hit with tornadoes, high winds and hail on Thursday and Friday
Saul Rodriguez uses a chain saw to remove debris atop a car from a woman's home after strong thunderstorms pass through the Greater Houston region, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Porter Heights
Other social media users have reported widespread damage in Porter Heights, Texas, after a tornado swept through the area.
It comes after Texas Governor Greg Abbott activated state emergency response resources because of the increased severe weather threat earlier this week.
'As Texans and out-of-state visitors begin traveling after the Christmas holiday, it's crucial that everyone regularly monitor road conditions, make an emergency plan and heed the guidance of state and local officials,' Abbott said in a statement.
A ground stop earlier this week which affected all American Airlines flights also had a knock-on effect, setting back hundreds of festive travel plans.
At Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, the departure board was not a welcome sight for many travelers.
Elsewhere passengers could be seen imploring gate staff for answers as they waited in ever-increasing lines.
