WAXAHACHIE, Texas — A storm system moving through the South has caused injuries to four individuals, initiating a severe weather concern for much of the Gulf Coast on Saturday. There is a potential for a significant amount of rainfall over the weekend in parts of northern Florida and Georgia, with soaking rains and the possibility of severe thunderstorms. This weather system is strengthening throughout the day and drawing in moisture from the Gulf of Mexico to fuel these conditions.
According to FOX Weather Meteorologist Nick Kosir, the Gulf Coast is experiencing higher-than-average temperatures, resulting in increased moisture in the atmosphere. This, combined with cold air aloft and strong updrafts, creates conditions favorable for severe thunderstorms, with large hail being a primary concern.
A severe thunderstorm south of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex early Saturday morning brought damaging winds and hailstones ranging from half dollars to golf balls. Emergency responders reported significant damage in the Waxahachie area, including overturned RVs and semi-trucks, downed trees and powerlines, and injuries sustained by residents.
The Texas Department of Public Safety reported that seven semi trucks overturned along Interstate 35 in Ellis County near Waxahachie. Additionally, strong winds caused damage to buildings and infrastructure in Ennis and Waxahachie, resulting in power outages affecting over 11,000 people in Ellis County.
The storm also impacted other areas, with wind damage reported in Granbury and Tolar. Forecasters are predicting the potential for tornadoes to develop as the storm progresses through eastern Texas and the Gulf Coast, with wind shear supporting storm rotation.
The Storm Prediction Center has identified over 18 million people in the primary threat zone for severe weather, extending from Dallas through New Orleans, Jackson, and the Florida Panhandle. While the overall threat level is rated low on the severe weather scale, any severe storms could still cause damage, particularly in areas recently affected by tornadoes.
In addition to the severe weather threat, there is a risk of flash flooding in Florida and Southeastern Georgia, with rainfall totals expected to reach 2-3 inches across the Southeast region from March 8-9, 2025.
Severe thunderstorms and rainfall are expected in Florida on Sunday as a weather system moves eastward across the state. There is a level 1 threat of severe weather covering much of the Florida Panhandle and southern Georgia. Jacksonville, Florida has seen above-average rainfall so far this year, and any additional rain will only contribute to the surplus. In contrast, Savannah, Georgia is behind its normal average rainfall for the year.
While this weekend’s stormy weather poses a relatively low risk of severe weather, the FOX Forecast Center is monitoring the forecast for the South next week for a potentially more dangerous severe weather outbreak. Two disturbances are expected to move across the southern Plains and Southeast, with the first one arriving around Wednesday and possibly bringing severe thunderstorms. A more significant storm system is forecasted to affect the region on Thursday into Friday, with a strong wind field that could support the development of rotating storms.
As the days progress and forecast models align, more details will emerge regarding the severity of the weather threat next week. It appears that stormy weather will return to the region in the coming days.
