Severe storms swept across the South on Friday, leading to numerous Tornado Warnings and significant flash flood threats in several states, a situation expected to persist into Saturday.
The intense rainfall prompted flash flood advisories in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, particularly impacting regions experiencing drought conditions and increasing the risk of flash flooding. In a typical severe weather scenario for the South, rounds of storms were noted from the Tennessee Valley down to the Gulf Coast, with forecasts indicating that areas near Hattiesburg in Southern Mississippi could experience rainfall rates of up to three inches per hour.
Warnings and watches have been color-coded on meteorological maps, with Severe Thunderstorm Warnings shown in yellow, Tornado Watches in red, and Flash Flood Warnings in green. Over eight million residents across parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and western Tennessee are currently under a severe storm risk rated at 2 out of 5, with the most significant threat stretching from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Memphis, Tennessee, and eastward to Birmingham, Alabama.
In Mississippi, two tornadoes were confirmed early Friday morning, occurring around 6:30 a.m. CT, as a cold front moved in, generating powerful thunderstorms. This weather pattern was not isolated, as an EF-2 tornado had already caused damage in Purcell, Oklahoma, earlier in the week, uprooting trees and damaging power lines but thankfully resulting in no reported injuries. Additionally, the National Weather Service confirmed three other tornadoes in Oklahoma, ranging from EF-0 to EF-1.
Looking ahead to Saturday, there remains a level 2 out of 5 severe storm risk for Central and Southern Alabama and Western Georgia as storms continue to advance eastward. This severe weather could potentially disrupt the much-anticipated NFL playoff game between the Carolina Panthers and the Los Angeles Rams. As the storm system moves on, concerns about flash flooding will persist into areas like east Tennessee and western North Carolina.
This storm system serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of severe weather in the region, but it also brings much-needed moisture to areas suffering from drought. The situation remains dynamic, and residents are advised to stay informed and prepared as conditions evolve.