A severe weather outbreak across the eastern U.S. is ongoing in Birmingham, Alabama. The risk of tornadoes is even higher on Saturday compared to Friday, with the storm already claiming at least three lives in Missouri. Two fatalities occurred in the Bakersfield area in Ozark County, while another fatality was reported in Butler County. Wright County has also experienced structural damage, and more devastation is expected as daylight reveals the full extent of the storm’s impact.
Multiple areas in Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Indiana are dealing with storm and tornado damage. Officials are urging people to avoid surveying the damage to allow emergency personnel to do their jobs safely. In Indiana’s Gibson County, Sheriff Bruce Vanoven highlighted significant damage and urged residents to refrain from interfering with emergency operations.
In Cave City, Arkansas, five individuals were injured but miraculously survived a tornado. Meanwhile, over 250,000 customers were without power across Missouri, Indiana, and Illinois as of Saturday morning.
The focus now shifts to the Deep South, particularly Alabama and Mississippi, where a Level 5 severe weather risk has been outlined. This indicates a high probability of supercell thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes and strong winds. The Storm Prediction Center warns of significant tornadoes likely on Saturday afternoon and evening.
The severe weather threat extends beyond Alabama and Mississippi, with New Orleans at a Level 4 risk and Nashville, Atlanta, and Tallahassee at a Level 3 threat. Tornado Watches are in effect, covering multiple areas with more expected as the storm progresses eastward.
Approximately 72 million people in the eastern U.S. are at risk of severe weather on Saturday. Meteorologists emphasize the strength of the atmosphere, making the situation quite frightening for many.
The storms are expected to intensify along the Mississippi River and move eastward through the day, affecting central and southern Mississippi, northern Alabama, central and eastern Tennessee, and north Georgia.
“The South faces the threat of ‘violent’ tornadoes and hurricane-force wind gusts amid a deadly severe weather outbreak,” said Bill Bunting, Operations Branch Chief for NOAA and the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, in an interview with FOX Weather on Friday. He expressed concern about the abundant moisture in the atmosphere and warned that the combination of wind shear, moisture, and lift could lead to the development of highly explosive and potentially deadly storms through Saturday as the system moves south and east. In addition to tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail are expected with any severe storms that form. The severe weather outbreak is expected to come to an end on Sunday, putting nearly 70 million people from the Northeast to Florida at risk. The most severe storms are forecasted to occur from Virginia to Florida. To stay informed, tune in to Fox Weather. [Original article source: South faces threat of ‘violent’ tornadoes, hurricane-force wind gusts amid deadly severe weather outbreak]
