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At least 18 people have been killed in the southern parts of the United States after a strong storm system swept across Mississippi, Louisiana and Georgia, spinning off more than a dozen tornadoes and leaving behind a path of destruction.
Key points:
- A storm system swept across Mississippi and Louisiana, spinning off more than a dozen tornadoes
- Storms hit on Easter Sunday as residents were under strict "stay-at-home" orders
- Forecasters have warned tens of millions could be affected by a massive weather system still to come
The storms hit on Easter Sunday as residents across the country's south, like most Americans, were under strict 'stay-at-home' orders by the governors of Mississippi and Louisiana due to the nationwide coronavirus pandemic.
Mississippi's death toll rose to 11 early Monday (local time), the state's emergency management agency said.
The deaths in Mississippi included a married couple — Lawrence County sheriff's deputy, Robert Ainsworth, and a Walthall County Justice Court deputy clerk, Paula We, a Facebook post from the county sheriff's office said.
Images on local media showed the devastation left behind by tornadoes, including destroyed homes, downed power lines, twisted billboards and overturned cars.
The Chattanooga, Tennessee area and several nearby counties in Georgia appeared to be particularly hard-hit.
At least 14 people were hospitalised in the Chattanooga area, where search and rescue teams were going door-to-door responding to more than 300 emergency calls for help, the fire department said.
In Georgia, two trailer parks were severely damaged, with five people killed and five others hospitalised after severe storms.
Another person was killed when a tree fell on a home in Cartersville, Georgia, WAGA-TV reported.
In Arkansas, one person was killed when a tree fell on a home in White Hall, about 60 kilometres southeast of Little Rock, the Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management said.
'Not how anyone wants to celebrate Easter'
The storms caused flooding and mudslides in mountainous areas and knocked out electricity for about 750,000 customers in 10 states ranging from Texas to Georgia up to West Virginia, according to poweroutages.us.
The National Weather Service tallied hundreds of reports of trees down across the region, including many that punctured roofs and downed power lines.
Meteorologists warned the mid-Atlantic states to prepare for potential tornadoes, wind and hail on Monday.
Several apparent tornadoes spun up in South Carolina, where dozens of homes appeared damaged.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency Sunday night after several tornadoes struck the state.
"This is not how anyone wants to celebrate Easter," Governor Reeves said on Twitter.
"As we reflect on the death and resurrection on this Easter Sunday, we have faith that we will all rise together."
Strong winds late Sunday toppled power lines and blew trees onto several houses in Clarksdale, Mississippi, trapping some people inside, Mayor Chuck Espy said.
"I know these are some tough times and I'm just asking everyone to stay prayed up," Mayor Espy said.
Authorities in the city of Monroe, Louisiana, posted photos of wrecked buildings on social media and said that Monroe Regional Airport had cancelled all flights until further notice due to debris on the runway and weather conditions.
Airport director Ron Phillips told the News-Star the storm caused up to $US30 million ($47 million) in damage to planes inside a hangar.
There were no immediate reports of serious injuries in Louisiana, even though the storm damaged between 200 and 300 homes in and around the city of Monroe, Mayor Jamie Mayo, told KNOE-TV.
"By the grace of God, early reports show only a few minor injuries. Pray for our city! Many neighbours & friends suffered catastrophic damage," Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo said on Twitter.
AP/Reuters
Topics: weather, disasters-and-accidents, storm-disaster, united-states
First posted