Residents across the Deep South are assessing damage Monday after severe storms and tornadoes battered the region for the second consecutive weekend.
At least two deaths, one in Mississippi and one in Alabama, have been blamed on the storms.
The National Weather Service counted at least seven reports of tornadoes. High winds from thunderstorms knocked down hundreds of trees, many of them falling on homes or power lines. Flooding was also a problem in many areas.
Two tornadoes were reported in Lamar and Marion counties in southern Mississippi.
The state Emergency Management Agency said one person was killed in Marion County. No other details were available Monday morning.
Marion County officials reported damage in the Sandy Hook area and in Pine Burr. State emergency management officials said 20 homes were damaged and 20 roads impacted.
Homes also were damaged Sunday night in the Lamar County community of Baxterville, according to the Hattiesburg American, however, downed trees and debris was preventing officials from reaching them.
“We’re still trying to work our way through to the damaged areas,” James Smith, Lamar County emergency management director, said. “Nothing is confirmed yet. We have reports of two houses damaged, but there may be more than that.”
A trailer was destroyed north of Baxterville, according to WJTV, and reports said a tree fell on a car north of Purvis.
In Forrest County, about eight homes are damaged and 25 roads are impacted, state officials said.
In Hattiesburg, police closed several streets because of flooding. Some motorists had to be rescued from their flooded cars.
Large hail was reported in the city, and wind gusts of 62 mph were measured at Bobby l. Chain Municipal Airport about 8:15 p.m. Sunday.
More than 10,000 customers across southern Mississippi remained without electricity on Monday morning, according to poweroutage.us.
In neighboring Alabama, the number of homes and businesses without power on Monday morning climbed above 42,000.
The body of Jerry Oliver Williams Jr., 61, was found beneath the wreckage of his mobile home in the Tumbleton community of Henry County about 11:30 p.m. Sunday, Coroner Derek Wright told al.com.
A second round of storms rolled across southern Alabama Sunday night into Monday morning.
On Sunday morning, the National Weather Service said it had received reports of people trapped by fallen trees in Coosa and Tallapoosa counties in Alabama. Trees also blocked roads and knocked down power lines, according to the NWS.
Debris blocked some lanes of Interstate 65 in Chilton County, and several state highways in Chilton, Coosa and Tallapoosa had to close until debris could be removed.
Damage extended into southwestern Georgia. Reports of downed trees came in from Randolph, Early and Worth counties, WALB reported.
The Worth County Sheriff’s Office said a home on York Road sustained “major damage” and the residents were being treated by emergency personnel. Another house on Gintown Road was damaged, but no one was injured.
Trees and power lines were knocked down and some roads were closed by debris.
Damaged homes were reported on Gates Road and South County Line Road.
An outbreak of more than 130 tornadoes over the Easter weekend left 34 people dead across the South.
by Ron Brackett (2020, Apr 20) weather.com
