Tornadoes Sweep Across Texas and Mississippi, Leaving Two Dead and Multiple Injured

At least two people lost their lives, and six others sustained injuries as tornadoes tore through parts of Texas and Mississippi on Saturday. The powerful storm system caused widespread destruction, including damaged homes, overturned vehicles, and power outages, before advancing eastward into Alabama early Sunday.

The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) tracked the severe storm system as it moved from Texas through Alabama and into Georgia early Sunday morning. By 4 a.m., the NWS had issued severe thunderstorm warnings, cautioning residents in western Georgia and Florida's northwestern Gulf region about the risk of tornadoes.

• In Texas:
  One person was killed in Liverpool, a community south of Houston, and four others suffered non-critical injuries, according to the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office. The area experienced multiple tornado touchdowns, causing damage between Liverpool, Hillcrest Village, and Alvin. Officials reported at least 10 homes damaged, with ongoing assessments to determine the full extent of destruction.

• In Mississippi:
  A tornado claimed the life of one person in Adams County and injured two others in Franklin County, according to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. Tornadoes in Bude and Brandon ripped roofs off buildings and caused extensive damage.

North of Houston, mobile homes were destroyed in Katy and Porter Heights, while a fire station in Porter Heights had its doors blown in. The NWS estimates at least six tornadoes touched down in the Houston area, though surveys could reveal more.

The storms also disrupted air travel, with flights at Houston’s Bush Intercontinental and Hobby airports delayed by over an hour on Saturday afternoon.

In Mississippi, the severe weather left about 71,000 customers without power on Saturday, a number that increased overnight to nearly 93,000 before slightly decreasing to 81,000 by early Sunday morning, according to PowerOutage.us.

Emergency management teams prioritized safety and accounted for residents before beginning damage assessments early Sunday morning. Malary White, Chief Communications Officer for Mississippi’s Emergency Management Agency, emphasized the importance of safety amidst the unfolding crisis.

“We do anticipate more thorough damage assessments starting in the early morning hours,” White said.

Meteorologist Josh Lichter warned that the storm system would likely intensify as it moved east, with severe thunderstorm warnings issued for parts of southern Alabama. The NWS advised residents to seek shelter from winds reaching speeds of up to 60 mph (96.5 km/h).

The storm system’s trajectory and potential for further destruction highlight the need for vigilance as emergency crews work to restore power and assess damages. Residents in affected areas are urged to stay alert and follow updates from local authorities.