Over the weekend, tornadoes wreaked havoc across the southern U.S., resulting in the tragic loss of at least four lives. The powerful storms not only caused widespread power outages, but also left a trail of destruction, leveling numerous homes in their path.
At least 40 homes and buildings in Brazoria County, Texas, southwest of Houston, suffered significant damage.
Stafnie Brown, a resident of Brazoria, shared her harrowing experience of the tornado, describing how it unfolded in a matter of seconds.
She mentioned that she received a second alert just before the tornado struck, leaving her with no time to take cover or prepare for its impact.
Jamie Brown, 48, tragically lost her life when an EF-2 tornado struck close to their residence. Jamie and her spouse shared a loving marriage of six years and were blessed with eight children.
Stafnie vividly recounted the heart-wrenching moment, “Without hesitation, I sprinted forward, calling out her name. I frantically scoured through the debris, desperately searching for her. My heart sank as I couldn’t locate her anywhere.” With a heavy heart, she continued, “Then, my eyes caught sight of her, lying face down in a pool of water.”
The storm resulted in four individuals in the county sustaining non-critical injuries.
On Saturday, a storm system moved east after at least five tornadoes struck both the northern and southern regions of the major metro area.
After the storms near Houston, Texas, on Saturday, people quickly cleared the streets as trees toppled due to the severe weather. The Lone Star State and other parts of the South experienced deadly tornadoes.
According to PowerOutage.US, over 32,000 customers in Mississippi were still without power on Monday. Forecasters issued warnings about the continued threat of strong winds, which could potentially uproot trees and even overturn vehicles.
Images shared by emergency officials displayed the aftermath of the storm, with trees strewn across streets and yards in Rankin County.
Tate Reeves, the governor of Mississippi, revealed that the severe weather had tragically resulted in two fatalities and numerous injuries. The unfortunate loss of life occurred in Adams County and Lowndes County, situated to the south and north of Jackson, respectively.
A tragic incident occurred in Adams County when a tree crashed onto a house around 7:30 p.m. CT. Sadly, this accident claimed the life of Ty’Keria Rogers, an 18-year-old cheer captain, and left two others injured. This devastating event has left the community in mourning.
Ty’Keria Rogers is pictured with her family in this heartwarming photo shared on GoFundMe. The photograph captures a precious moment, showcasing the love and support of her loved ones. Ty’Keria, a student at Natchez High School, was eagerly looking forward to her graduation in May.
Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson expressed his deep sorrow and condolences for the tragic loss of Ty’Keria Rogers, an exceptional 18-year-old who had a profound impact on the community.
In a heartfelt statement on social media, Mayor Gibson emphasized the lasting impression Ty’Keria had on those who knew her and extended thoughts and prayers to her grieving family and friends.
Rogers’ high-school teacher reported that her mother and siblings were left without a place to live, and as a result, a GoFundMe was established to assist the family.
“Tykeria was a vibrant and loving soul who had the ability to touch the hearts of everyone she encountered,” expressed Anna Douglas, whose son was Rogers’ brother.
She further added, “Now, Tykeria’s mother is facing an immense sense of loss while also trying to provide support for Ty’Keria’s two younger siblings, who are equally devastated. The family not only mourns the loss of their beloved family member but also has been displaced from their home, resulting in their temporary stay at a hotel.”
In Lowndes County, an elderly woman aged 68 tragically lost her life due to a power outage while she was on home oxygen.
The incident occurred when she called 911 early Sunday morning and was later found unresponsive outside her vehicle. Unfortunately, her identity has not been disclosed to the public.
A tree that snapped during the storm landed on a roof in Rankin County, Mississippi, causing significant damage. Governor Tate Reeves confirmed two fatalities and numerous injuries reported in the state. The impact of the storm was devastating, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
14 counties in Mississippi were affected by the storms, according to initial damage assessments.
The storms disrupted travel plans at major U.S. airports during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.
At least 45 reports of tornado damage were recorded across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. Unfortunately, a fatality was reported in North Carolina.
A tragic incident unfolded in North Charlotte as a tree fell on a pickup truck, resulting in the untimely death of Matthew Teeple, a 70-year-old man. Authorities suspect that he was killed instantly in the accident.
A man walks through the areas of Athens, Alabama, on Sunday, witnessing the destruction caused by the storm. Reports of damage in the state were numerous.
The storms caused the closure of several roads in western North Carolina, which had already been hit by Hurricane Helene a few months ago.
Alabama experienced significant destruction as well.
“I walked onto my porch and the sound of roaring reached my ears,” said Holly Hollman, the spokesperson for the city of Athens, Alabama, in an interview with The Associated Press.
She expressed gratitude, saying, “We are incredibly fortunate that the tornado struck late at night. If it had occurred during peak hours, it could have resulted in injuries and even fatalities.”
