Severe Storms in the Southern United States
February 24, 2016
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Severe storms and tornadoes hit areas of the Southern States yesterday, killing three people and injuring many others. The governors of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi all declared state emergencies. In addition to high winds, at least seven tornadoes struck Louisiana and Mississippi yesterday. Two of the three deaths were at a recreational-vehicle (RV) park in Louisiana. The third death was in a mobile-home park in Mississippi. A total of 18 tornadoes were reported across the South on February 23.
This weather system began as a line of thunderstorms that moved across Texas on Monday evening, February 22, bringing hail and high winds. Thousands in Texas were left without electric power as winds knocked down power lines. Heavy rains caused flooding in Alabama, Arkansas, and Georgia.
By Wednesday, February 24, the low pressure system that created these storms had shifted north, bringing heavy snows in parts of the Midwest. In the Great Lakes region, residents prepared for potential blizzard conditions. Heavy rains occurred in the northeastern United States, where it was too warm for snow.
