Current:Home > MySevere weather takes aim at parts of the Ohio Valley after battering the South-InfoLens
Severe weather takes aim at parts of the Ohio Valley after battering the South
View Date:2024-12-23 11:09:25
ATLANTA (AP) — Powerful storms rumbled over parts of the U.S. Southeast early Thursday, prompting a few tornado warnings, causing flash flooding, and delaying the start of one of the world’s biggest sports events along the Georgia coast.
The storm system, which started Wednesday, has already been blamed for at least one death in Mississippi, demolished buildings and flooded streets in the New Orleans area. It continued to spawn flash flood and tornado warnings in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina on Thursday.
More than 100,000 customers lacked power early Thursday nationwide. That included more than 30,000 in Georgia, where the bad weather was ongoing, according to PowerOutage.us.
Now, forecasters say parts of Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia will be near the bullseye of a new area of concern Thursday. Those areas could see some tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail, according to the latest outlooks from the Storm Prediction Center.
In Augusta, Georgia, the start of the Masters golf tournament was delayed by at least one hour, tournament officials announced. They said they would monitor conditions throughout the day Thursday.
Damage was reported from Texas to the Florida Panhandle.
A tornado struck Slidell, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of New Orleans, on Wednesday. It ripped roofs off buildings and partially collapsed others in and around the city of about 28,000. Authorities said first responders had to rescue people trapped in one apartment building.
Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer estimated at a news conference Wednesday night that about 75 homes and businesses were damaged. Parish President Mike Cooper estimated that hundreds more homes were damaged outside the city.
Police video showed tree limbs littering the streets and flooded yards that resembled swamps. Outside a McDonald’s restaurant, a car was on its side, power poles leaned, and large pieces of the trademark golden arches were strewn about.
“I’ve never talked to God so much before in my life,” Robin Marquez said after huddling with co-workers in a two-story building where the roof was ripped away and walls caved in.
There were no reports of deaths or critical injuries in Slidell. The National Weather Service posted on social media Wednesday that initial surveys indicate the area was hit by an EF-1 tornado, with winds from 86 mph (138 kph) to 110 mph (177 kph).
Close to 8 inches (20 centimeters) of rain fell in parts of New Orleans. It came as the system of pipes and pumps that drains the city dealt with problems with its power generating system, forcing workers to divert power as needed.
“During intense rain, the mission sometimes shifts from keeping the streets dry to draining them as quickly as possible,” the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board said in a statement.
A woman died in central Mississippi when a power outage shut down her oxygen machine, officials said. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said 72 homes were damaged.
In Texas, several people were rescued from homes and vehicles early Wednesday when flooding inundated parts of Jasper County, near the Louisiana line, authorities said.
In the Houston suburb of Katy, strong thunderstorms collapsed part of the roof of an auto repair shop. Storms also damaged businesses and cars in a strip mall, sending a large air conditioning unit on the roof crashing to the parking lot, officials said. Some of the damage was preliminarily determined to have been caused by a weak tornado, officials said.
“We were blessed that no lives were lost,” Harris County Fire Marshal Laurie Christensen said. Only minor injuries were reported.
veryGood! (9825)
Related
- 'He's driving the bus': Jim Harbaugh effect paying dividends for Justin Herbert, Chargers
- When We Were Young in Las Vegas: What to know about 2023 lineup, set times, tickets
- EU debates how to handle rising security challenges as Israel-Hamas war provokes new concerns
- Simu Liu Reveals His Parents Accidentally Took His Recreational Drugs While House Sitting
- How many dog breeds are there? A guide to groups recognized in the US
- Bella Hadid Packs on the PDA With Cowboy Adan Banuelos After Marc Kalman Breakup
- Workers are paying 7% more this year for employer-sponsored health insurance
- A sweeping gun bill aimed at tightening firearm laws passes in the Massachusetts House
- Sister Wives’ Meri Brown Shares Hysterical Farmers Only Dating Profile Video After Kody Split
- Fear, frustration for Israeli family as 7 believed to be held by Hamas
Ranking
- Elon Musk says 'SNL' is 'so mad' Trump won as he slams Dana Carvey's impression
- Young lobsters show decline off New England, and fishermen will see new rules as a result
- Fracas in courtroom when family of slain girl's killer tries to attack him after he pleads guilty
- Humanitarian crisis in Gaza an 'unprecedented catastrophe,' UN says
- Ex-Duke star Kyle Singler draws concern from basketball world over cryptic Instagram post
- Bloomberg Philanthropies launches $50 million fund to help cities tackle global issues
- South Carolina coach Shane Beamer breaks foot kicking 'something I shouldn't have' after loss
- Can we still relate to Bad Bunny?
Recommendation
-
See Chris Evans' Wife Alba Baptista Show Her Sweet Support at Red One Premiere
-
Southern California sheriff’s deputy shot and hospitalized in unknown condition
-
Search continues for inmate who escaped from Houston courthouse amid brawl in courtroom
-
Hundreds mourn as Israeli family of 5 that was slain together is laid to rest
-
She's a trans actress and 'a warrior.' Now, this 'Emilia Pérez' star could make history.
-
U.N. peacekeepers in Mali withdraw from two bases in the north as fighting intensifies
-
Who is Raoul A. Cortez? Google Doodle honors Mexican-American broadcaster's birthday
-
EU debates how to handle rising security challenges as Israel-Hamas war provokes new concerns