Multiple tornadoes caused at least two deaths and several injuries in Texas and Mississippi over the weekend, with significant damage to homes and vehicles. In Brazoria County, Texas, one person died in the Liverpool area, and four others were injured. There were multiple touchdown points in the county, with around 10 damaged homes reported. In the city of Natchez, Mississippi, severe weather resulted in one death and two injuries. The National Weather Service reported two tornadoes hitting Bude and Brandon, causing damage to several buildings.
In total, at least six tornadoes were reported in the Houston area, with more potentially discovered during damage assessments. Severe weather in Montgomery County, just north of Houston, damaged 50 to 100 homes, downing trees and powerlines. Two people were hospitalized with no critical injuries reported. Mobile homes in Katy and Porter Heights were damaged or destroyed, with significant damage also reported at a fire station. Flight delays were experienced at Houston’s main airports, Bush Intercontinental and Hobby, due to the storms.
As of Saturday night, over 111,000 customers were without power in Mississippi, with an additional 61,000 without power in Louisiana. Damage assessments were expected to begin in the early morning hours to determine the extent of the destruction. Severe weather across the U.S. has caused disruptions throughout the holiday week, including ground stops at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field on Thursday. First responders in affected areas were focused on ensuring the safety of residents and ensuring everyone was accounted for before conducting thorough damage assessments.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency anticipated receiving official damage reports as more information became available. The severe weather was expected to continue overnight, with the possibility of more storms as the system moved eastward. The National Weather Service warned of the potential for worsening conditions as the evening progressed. Residents in affected areas were urged to stay vigilant and heed any warnings or advisories issued by local authorities. The storms caused significant destruction in multiple communities, highlighting the need for continued preparedness and response efforts in the face of severe weather events.
