Nasty Holiday Storm Causing Problems all Across US
Tornadoes struck all across the South on Christmas day, knocking down trees, blowing roofs off homes and leaving tens of thousands in the dark. In the country’s mid-section, very dangerous driving conditions prevailed with freezing rain and white-out conditions to challenge drivers trying to get from Point A to Point B to celebrate the holiday.
A large tornado hit Mobile, AL Christmas day, damaging homes and other buildings. Powerful storms ravaged communities all across the South on Christmas day, leaving at least two people dead and many others injured. Many people living west of Mobile, AL reported hearing a load roaring sound like a freight train when the twister struck there. Some even reported that their ears popped as the tornado caused a drastic drop in the barometric pressure as it moved in. A Mobile high school sustained serious damage from the twister as an equipment barn was totally destroyed as was an indoor baseball practice field. The school’s roof also was badly damaged.
In all, over 83,000 homes and businesses in Mobile were left without power Tuesday night due to the inclement weather. A tornado also touched down in Alexandria, LA, injuring one and damaging several buildings. At least 30 tornadoes were spotted across the South from Texas to Alabama with numerous twister-related injury reports coming in.
The National Weather Service had blizzard warnings in effect for portions of Indiana, Texas and Oklahoma Tuesday, making holiday travel in those states very treacherous to say the least. On Wednesday, people planning on traveling in the Midwest may have to put their plans on hold as there are Winter Weather Advisories in effect for several states in the region. That part of the country is forecast to receive heavy falling snow and wind gusts which will make for hazardous driving conditions. Sleet and freezing rain may also fall which could knock down trees and powerlines.
Louisiana’s governor Phil Bryant declared a state of emergency on Christmas day, reporting that eight LA counties reported storm damage and injuries. Over 14,000 residents in Louisiana were left without power Christmas night due to heavy thunderstorms that ravaged the state. There were numerous reports of tornado touchdowns in Louisiana as well as several reports coming in of damage done to homes and buildings due to high winds. At least a dozen homes were completely destroyed by a tornado in Pearl River County with several others receiving significant damage. Eight people were taken to area hospitals when twisters ripped through the county but none of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening.
