Jackson, Miss. — In Mississippi, a series of strong thunderstorms produced at least two tornadoes confirmed by radar at around 6:30 a.m. Pacific Time.
These storms are the result of cold fronts stemming from transcontinental weather systems, causing heavy rain that affects millions in the eastern U.S. The Deep South and Gulf Coast can expect severe flash flooding and intense storms continuing through Friday.
On Friday morning, a tornado warning was issued for parts of both Mississippi and Louisiana.
As of now, there’s no updated information on damage or any injuries reported.
While damaging wind gusts remain the main concern, there is a possibility of additional tornadoes forming.
This follows a cross-country storm that produced at least four tornadoes in Oklahoma just the day before.
Severe flash flooding could impact southern Mississippi, particularly around Hattiesburg and south of Jackson, from Friday into Saturday, according to the FOX Prediction Center.
Over 8 million individuals in regions of Louisiana, Mississippi, and western Tennessee are under a level 2 severe storm threat, which is rated out of 5. The highest risk zone stretches from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, north to Memphis, Tennessee, and east to Birmingham, Alabama.
The tornado warning persists following an EF-1 tornado that hit Purcell, Oklahoma, as storms swept through the area.
Fortunately, there were no injuries, but the tornado caused significant destruction, taking down power lines and uprooting trees.
Both the Norman and Tulsa National Weather Service offices are evaluating the damage, having confirmed three more tornadoes near the Oklahoma City zone.
In the South, typical severe weather conditions mean multiple storms are anticipated from the Tennessee Valley down to the Gulf Coast on Friday, rising the risk of flash flooding.
The first wave of storms is expected to arrive between Friday morning and noon, with another wave anticipated late in the afternoon and into the night.
The moisture levels and the potential for repeated storms keep flash flooding as a significant concern across middle Tennessee, northern Alabama, and Louisiana.
For much of the Tennessee Valley, precipitation could range between 2 and 3 inches, with isolated spots possibly seeing up to 5 inches.
The highest risk is in southern Mississippi, where NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center has issued a Level 3 flash flood warning on a scale of 4.
They noted that as much as 3 inches of rain could fall hourly along the corridor between Jackson and Hattiesburg on Friday.
Flood watches are now active across 600 miles, from New Orleans up to Nashville.
Interestingly, many of these areas that are under flood watch are experiencing drought conditions, meaning that the anticipated rainfall could easily surpass the ground’s capacity to absorb it, raising the flood risk.
Severe threat in the south continues until Saturday
The dangerous weather is expected to last into Saturday as a cold front continues eastward.
For parts of Georgia and the Carolinas, the risk of severe storms is currently set at level 1 out of 5.
Even once the storm passes, flash flooding could still be an issue in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina.
