Severe weather tore through Texas, Louisiana and Alabama on Wednesday, leaving tens of thousands of residents without power, and a ‘severe outbreak of severe weather’ is expected to remain a risk for the next two days.
The National Weather Service warned of possible floods during the night and tornadoes and urged residents to make safety plans in place before issuing warnings.
The threat of the tornado is particularly great in the stretch between southeastern Arkansas and northeastern Louisiana, through the Mississippi and into Alabama, where government Kay Ivey has declared a state of emergency.
“A significant tornado outbreak is expected with numerous strong and some long-distance potentially violent tornadoes,” the weather service warned.
Nearly all of Mississippi was under tornado clocks Wednesday night, as well as parts of southeastern Louisiana, northern and eastern Arkansas and western Tennessee.
Local residents suspect the roof of this home along Cotten Lane in the Woolworth community in northeast Lincoln County, Miss., Was destroyed by a tornado on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. Forecasters believe heavy weather is expected again on Wednesday with the possibility of massive tornadoes, showers and hail the size of tennis balls. (Brett Campbell / The Daily Leader)
(AP)
In all, the weather service has issued more than 50 tornado warnings in Alabama, Arkansas, Texas, Mississippi and Oklahoma. Tornado watches included parts of seven states.
AMU RV service and repairs to Old Greensboro Road were hit by a tornado that destroyed several customer-owned recreational vehicles on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 in Moundville, Ala. The tornado also ripped off the roof of the workshop with people inside, who survived. A wave of storms beats the deep south, leaving a trail of shattered trees and damaged buildings. And forecasters said even more severe weather was on the way Wednesday with the possibility of massive tornadoes, downpours and the size of tennis balls. (AP Photo / Vasha Hunt)
Forecasters also warned of possible hail the size of a tennis ball.
NATIONAL WEATHER FORECAST: ‘MEANING OF TORNADO OUTBREAK’ EXPECTED FOR SOUTH
The bad forecast has prompted dozens of school districts to cancel classes or return to distance education, and thousands of people are seeing their coronavirus vaccine appointments canceled.
A utility worker wants to repair lines with the roof of Kelley Electric draped on the lines after downtown Moundville was hit by heavy weather on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 in Moundville, Ala. Possible tornadoes collapsed trees, knocked down power lines and damaged homes. in rural Chilton County and the Alabama communities of Burnsville and Moundville, where power was out and trees blocked a highway. (AP Photo / Vasha Hunt)
(AP)
Flash watches have been issued in much of Missouri, southeastern Tennessee and northern Georgia.
The weather has torn through a number of Alabama communities, knocking down trees and power lines and blocking roads.
On photos, indicated power lines, flattened houses, broken windows and RVs are turned over.
A tree was blown up along the railroad in northeastern Lincoln County, Miss., After a half-morning of heavy weather, Wednesday, March 17, 2021. Forecasters believe another severe weather is expected Wednesday with the possibility of massive tornadoes, shower and greet the size of tennis balls. (Brett Campbell / The Daily Leader)
(AP)
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Chuck Folts, a motorcycle mechanic in Moundville, Ala., Told the Associated Press he was collapsing in his workshop when a tornado tore the roof off him.
The severe weather is expected to reach East Georgia and the Carolinas on Thursday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.