26 people were killed by a string of powerful storms in the South, and some of the same areas will experience more storm damage on Sunday.
The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center warned that the strongest storms might produce a few powerful tornadoes and very large hail, especially from central Louisiana across central and southern areas of Mississippi and Alabama this afternoon and evening.
The Atlanta-based meteorological service said that a “big and extremely deadly tornado” had already struck on Sunday morning south of LaGrange, Georgia.
Although there were no immediate reports of deaths, officials indicated that the storm injured at least three individuals.
Zachary Steele, the emergency management director for Troup County, reported that up to 100 homes were damaged, with 30 to 40 being “totally demolished.”
Following the terrible storms and tornadoes that struck this morning, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency, Kemp tweeted. “I invite all Georgians to join us in praying for those afflicted as we continue to monitor the weather and work with local partners to alleviate damage throughout the day.”
From Houston to the beaches of the Carolinas, more than 30 million people in the South and Southeast are at risk of severe storms on Sunday.
According to the Storm Prediction Center, threats include the potential for severe tornadoes, tennis ball-sized hail, and damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph.
Eastern Louisiana, central and southern Mississippi, including the cities of Jackson, Meridian, and Hattiesburg, are under a tornado watch until 11 p.m. local time.
The Storm Prediction Center stated that initially, “large hail and severe winds will be the greatest dangers, but the tornado risk should develop towards and after sunset, when low-level shear will greatly increase.” This includes the possibility for durable supercells and powerful (EF2+) tornadoes.
Throughout a large portion of central and southern Alabama, including Birmingham and Montgomery, a tornado watch is also in force until one in the morning local time.
