A storm system wreaking havoc across the South has left four people dead and caused widespread destruction. In Mississippi, 18-year-old Tykeria Rogers died when a tree fell on her Adams County home, and another fatality occurred in Lowndes County. In Texas, one death was reported in Brazoria County, while in North Carolina, a man was killed in Iredell County when a tree fell on his vehicle.
Saturday’s storms spawned over two dozen tornadoes across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed multiple tornadoes, including an EF3 in Porter Heights, Texas, with winds of at least 136 mph, and another EF3 in Chambers County along Highway 124. Brazoria County saw an EF2 tornado that caused severe damage to an elementary school and injured several people.
Weaker tornadoes, including EF1 and EF0 classifications, were recorded in Galveston County, Texas, and Lamar County, Alabama. Damage assessments and additional storm surveys are ongoing across several states.
The storms left widespread damage, with videos showing downed trees in Louisiana and power lines and structural damage in Conroe, Texas. Over 300 responders have been deployed to aid Texas recovery efforts.
As the storm system moved east on Sunday, over 20 million people from the Gulf Coast to the Carolinas faced severe weather risks. By evening, the threat diminished, though gusty winds and hail persisted in parts of Kentucky.
The unusual December storms resulted from a clash between cold air and unseasonably warm temperatures, with highs in Texas expected to hit 90°F early in the week.
Also read: Trump Seeks Supreme Court Pause on TikTok Ban Ahead of Jan. 19 Deadline
