1 Dead in Mississippi as Storms Sweep Across the South, Bringing Tornadoes and Extreme Rain
On April 10, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency announced that one person died in Scott County
AP Photo/Gerald Herbert
Robin Marquez walks past her son's heavily damaged car after they sheltered in place inside the business, for what she said was a tornado, in the aftermath of severe storms that swept through the region in Slidell, La., April 10, 2024Mississippi authorities said one person died following severe weather that began earlier this week and has been sweeping across the South.
On April 10, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency announced that one person died in Scott County. In all, 72 homes across the state were damaged due to the storms, along with reports of downed trees, road blockages and power outages.
Meanwhile, the National Weather Service (NWS) New Orleans reported that the tornado the city of Slidell, Louisiana, experienced on April 10 was likely an EF-1, meaning that its winds measured between 86 and 110 mph.
“NWS Survey Crews in Slidell, LA report damage near Old Spanish Trail consistent with at least an EF-1 tornado. Additional surveys will be needed tomorrow (April 11, 2024) to assess path length, path width and max wind speeds. #mswx #lawx,” the NWS posted on X.
Officials said that the heavy storms caused “widespread and catastrophic” damage throughout St. Tammany Parish, Fox affiliate WVUE reported, with Slidell Mayor Greg Comer saying, “We haven’t seen this much damage since Hurricane Katrina.”
Related: N.Y.C. Residents Warned to Shelter in Place as Heavy Rain Triggers Life-Threatening Flooding
Over in the New Orleans area, a flash flood emergency was issued on April 11, affecting over 460,000 people in the communities of Kenner, Marrero, Metairie and others. Calling it a “life-threatening situation,” the emergency warning asked residents to “seek higher ground now!”
East Texas also experienced floodwaters on April 10, per The New York Times, with the County of Jasper issuing a declaration of disaster. In a Facebook post, the county's sheriff's office said that rescue teams had extricated several people out of vehicles and homes as the city of Kirbyville was under water and with no travel possible.
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Meanwhile in Georgia, heavy storms resulted in toppled trees and thousands of people without power, Fox affiliate WAGA reported, with a majority of the state under a wind advisory until April 11 at 8 p.m local time. Additionally, the bad weather resulted in the delay of the start of the Masters golf tournament in Augusta.
Related: Hurricane Scale Should Be Extended to Include a Category 6, According to Some Climate Scientists
The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center said in an update on April 11 that “severe thunderstorms with a few tornadoes, scattered damaging winds, and isolated large hail are possible across the upper Ohio River Valley and parts of the Appalachians this afternoon.”
The update continued: “Scattered damaging winds and a couple of tornadoes are possible in far southern Georgia into central Florida, mainly this morning through early afternoon.”
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