Over the weekend, tornadoes wreaked havoc across the southern U.S., resulting in the tragic loss of at least four lives. These powerful storms not only caused widespread destruction, but also left tens of thousands without power and countless homes in ruins.
At least 40 homes and buildings in Brazoria County, an area of Texas located southwest of Houston, suffered significant damage.
“It all happened so fast,” recalled Stefanie Brown, a resident of Brazoria. In an interview with KPRC 2, she shared her terrifying experience, saying, “As soon as the second alert came, the tornado struck. I had no time to take cover or prepare myself.”
Jamie Brown, the 48-year-old wife, tragically lost her life when an EF-2 tornado struck near their residence. Jamie and her spouse had been happily married for six years and were blessed with eight beautiful children.
“I immediately sprung into action, my voice filled with desperation as I called out her name. With determination, I navigated through the debris, desperately hoping to find her. My heart sank as I couldn’t locate her. However, my search led me to a distressing sight – there she was, lying face down in a pool of water.”
Four individuals in the county sustained non-critical injuries as a result of the storm.
On Saturday, the storm system moved eastward after a series of at least five tornadoes hit both the northern and southern areas surrounding the major metropolitan city.
More than 32,000 customers in Mississippi were still without power on Monday, as reported by PowerOutage.US. Forecasters warned that there were still strong winds that could potentially topple trees and overturn vehicles.
Emergency officials have shared photos depicting trees that have already been flung around streets and yards in Rankin County.
Tate Reeves, the governor of Mississippi, revealed that the severe weather had resulted in two tragic deaths and several injuries. One individual lost their life in Adams County, while another succumbed to the harsh conditions in Lowndes County. These counties are situated to the south and north of Jackson, respectively.
In Adams County, tragedy struck when a tree crashed onto a house around 7:30 p.m. CT. This unfortunate incident resulted in the loss of 18-year-old cheer captain Ty’Keria Rogers’ life and left two others injured, as reported by WAPT.
Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson expressed his deep sorrow and condolences over the tragic loss of Ty’Keria Rogers, an exceptional 18-year-old who was cherished by many and had a profound impact on those who knew her. In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Mayor Gibson conveyed his thoughts and prayers to Ty’Keria’s family and friends during this difficult time.
Rogers’ high school teacher informed that her mother and siblings were left without a place to live. To assist the family, a GoFundMe campaign was initiated.
“Tykeria left a lasting impact on everyone she encountered with her vibrant and loving nature,” expressed Anna Douglas, whose son was Rogers’ brother. In the midst of this immense loss, Tykeria’s mother now finds herself facing the challenge of caring for her two younger siblings, who are also grappling with the devastating effects of her absence. The family not only mourns the loss of their beloved Tykeria but also faces the additional hardship of being displaced from their home, resulting in their temporary relocation to a hotel.”
In Lowndes County, a tragic incident occurred where a 68-year-old woman who relied on home oxygen sadly lost her life due to a power outage. According to WLBT, she contacted 911 in the early hours of Sunday morning and was later discovered unresponsive outside of her vehicle. Regrettably, her identity has not been disclosed.
Preliminary assessments have revealed that the storms have affected 14 counties in Mississippi.
The storms disrupted travel plans at major U.S. airports, causing delays during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.
At least 45 tornado damage reports have been recorded across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. Additionally, there has been a reported fatality in North Carolina.
A tragic incident occurred when a tree fell on Matthew Teeple’s pickup truck while he was traveling north of Charlotte. The 70-year-old man tragically lost his life in the accident, with authorities suspecting that he died instantly.
Several roads in western North Carolina were closed due to the storms, which had already been struck by Hurricane Helene a few months ago.
Alabama also experienced significant damage.
“I walked onto my porch and the sound of it roaring reached my ears,” said Holly Hollman, a representative for the city of Athens, Alabama, in an interview with The Associated Press. She expressed gratitude that the tornado struck late at night, stating, “We are incredibly fortunate that it happened when there were fewer people around. If it had occurred during peak hours, there could have been injuries and even deaths.”
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