Death Toll Surges in Wake of Storms across American South

Written by Team Morecast

After being pummeled by a relentless storm system over the weekend, residents across the Southern United States are cleaning up and accessing the damage. The storm system delivered a plethora of hazards to the region including hail, flooding rains, and deadly tornadoes. 33 people are confirmed dead, the result of storms that carved a destructive path stretching 1200 miles (1931 km) from Texas to the Carolinas. Over 1 million customers lost power due to the outbreak, while hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed.

While the severe weather outbreak lasted Saturday through Monday, Sunday was the busiest day. Not only was Sunday the busiest day of this outbreak, it was the most active severe weather day of the calendar year thus far, and produced the most severe storm reports in one day since 6/28/2018. It also is the deadliest tornado outbreak in the United States since 2012.

There were nearly 60 reports of tornadoes, with most of them occurring in southern Mississippi. Several of them featured very long tracks that contributed to the extensive damage. One such was given a preliminary rating of EF4 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, containing winds of 170 mph (274 kph). This twister tore through the town of Bassfield.

Tornadoes may have caused the most damage during the outbreak, but other dangerous perils, such as flooding were rampant as well. In the town of Dalton, Georgia massive flooding led to numerous high water rescues as roads were inundated with up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) of water. Governors of the effected states have declared a State of Emergency, in addition to the preexisting declarations due to Covid-19.

Deadly Tornadoes Rip Through Southern U.S. on Easter

Written by Team Morecast

Amid the horrors unleashed by Covid-19, residents of several southern states have been thrust into another dangerous scenario as severe weather has struck the region this Easter weekend. Violent storms containing hail, heavy rain, and tornadoes have moved through the states of Texas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, and Georgia. As of now, 6 people have been confirmed dead due to tornadoes in Mississippi, while close to 365,000 are without power across the aforementioned states.

The damage has been deemed catastrophic in many areas. One such area is the city of Monroe, Louisiana. Here, a tornado with winds estimated to be around 165mph (266 kph) touched down on Sunday afternoon, destroying or damaging at least 300 homes. The city’s airport sustained substantial damage, estimated to be around $30 million dollars. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported in the city, although some residents sustained minor injuries.

It appears Mississippi has taken the brunt of the storm system, as multiple tornadoes touched down across southern portions of the state. The twisters ravaged towns including, Soso, Heidelberg, and Pachuta, with winds estimated by Doppler radar to be between 170-205 mph (274-330 kph). This would equate to a rating of EF4 or EF5 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. At the height of the tornado outbreak, two Tornado Emergencies were issued by The National Weather Service. This is an occurrence that does not happen frequently. Two of the tornadoes sent debris 20,000 feet (6096 meters) into the air. One  meteorologist claimed that these were the most intense tornadoes he has ever seen on radar throughout his career.


The combination of extremely favorable conditions in the upper levels of the atmosphere, and deep moisture from the Gulf of Mexico in place, is what led this multi-faceted storm system to become so destructive. As this system moves eastward on Monday, the threat of severe weather will shift to the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Conditions will not be as conducive for tornadoes as they were on Sunday, but a few isolated tornadoes may occur. Damaging winds, hail, and torrential downpours look to be the greatest hazards.

Dangerous Overnight Tornado Outbreak Threatens the Southern US

Written by Team Morecast

 

An extremely dangerous outbreak of severe storms, including tornadoes, will threaten the southern U.S. late on Easter Sunday through early Monday. Tornadoes and other severe hazards are particularly deadly when they occur at night due to poor visibility and the fact that many people are asleep. Keep your sources of emergency information close at hand and be prepared to seek shelter if necessary!

 

 

A strong upper level trough is pivoting out of the southwest U.S. tonight. Severe storms have already broken out over portions of west Texas with large hail and isolated tornadoes. The system will encounter rich moisture from the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday, fueling more and stronger supercell thunderstorms, especially later in the afternoon into the evening. Unfortunately, the best combination of strong upper level winds and moist instability will come together on Sunday evening over portions of Louisiana, Arkansas, western Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama. Deadly tornadoes and damaging hail up to three inches (7.5 cm) in diameter will occur in this region. The supercells will likely consolidate into a squall line that will race into the southeast Monday morning. Here the most widespread threat will be destructive straight-line winds up to 80 mph (130 kph), although isolated tornadoes and large hail may still occur. Major cities in the path of these severe cells include Jackson, MS, Memphis, TN, Atlanta, GA, and Columbia, SC.

 

Deadly Cyclone Harold Ravaging the Islands of Vanuatu

Written by Team Morecast

 

Cyclone Harold intensified rapidly on Sunday just west of the archipelago nation of Vanuatu in the South Pacific. Harold is now a severe Category Four storm producing destructive winds up to 270 kph along with a deadly storm surge and flooding rains. The cyclone has made landfall over the largest of Vanuatu’s islands, Espirito Santu, as of Monday morning local time. The eyewall will be lashing the city of Luganville in the midday hours.

 

 

Officials have lifted pandemic-related restrictions on large numbers of people gathering together to allow residents to seek refuge in regional evacuation centers. Some natives have even adopted the sheltering ways of their ancestors, hiding in mountain caves. Most residents can easily recall one of the worst natural disasters to ever strike Vanuatu, Cyclone Pam, just five years ago. Pam was bit stronger than Harold, a Category Five with winds up to 300 kph. However, Harold is on track to affect more of the larger islands and population centers. It’s also moving more slowly, prolonging the period of dangerous conditions. Social media posts indicate significant damage has already occurred in Luganville, a city of more than 16,000, with the worst winds yet to come.

 

 

Harold will continue to move east-southeast with conditions improving on the islands of Vanuatu later Tuesday. There is a risk of significant impacts to the Fiji Islands later in the week, although some weakening is expected in the interim. Residents there should keep a close eye on Harold’s progress in the next few days and make appropriate preparations.