December 29th 2024.
Officials were working to assess the damage caused by a powerful storm system that swept through the southern United States over the weekend. The storm had spawned multiple tornadoes, causing at least four fatalities and destruction across the region. National Weather Service meteorologist Frank Pereira reported about 40 tornado sightings from southeastern Texas to Alabama, but stated that these reports were not yet confirmed until further damage surveys were conducted.
Pereira also noted that while severe weather outbreaks are not uncommon, it is unusual to see one of this magnitude so late in the year. In the Houston area, National Weather Service crews were planning to survey the damage caused by at least five tornadoes that touched down on Saturday. One of the tornadoes resulted in the tragic death of a 48-year-old woman in the Liverpool area south of Houston. Four others in Brazoria County were also injured, and numerous homes and buildings sustained significant damage.
In North Carolina, a 70-year-old man was killed in Statesville when a tree fell on his pickup truck. Highway Patrol Trooper DJ Maffucci called it a "freak accident" and stated that the man was killed instantly. The storm also caused downed trees and multiple accidents in the area.
Mississippi also experienced fatalities due to the storm, including an 18-year-old who died when a tree fell on her home in Natchez. Two others were injured in the same home. Another person was killed in Lowndes County, and at least eight others were injured throughout the state.
The National Weather Service reported two tornadoes in Bude and the city of Brandon, causing damage to several buildings. In northern Alabama, the town of Athens was hit by the storm, causing damage to buildings and toppling a military helicopter from a display. City spokesperson Holly Hollman described hearing the storm's roar and expressed gratitude that the damage occurred late at night when there were fewer people out and about.
As of Sunday morning, almost 65,000 customers were without power in Mississippi, with thousands more in Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas. In western North Carolina, two roads were closed due to the severe weather. The storm also caused delays and cancellations at some of the busiest airports in the country, including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Overall, the storm caused devastation and destruction across the southern U.S., with officials working diligently to assess the damage and help those affected. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted by this tragic event.
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