Rough weather was rumbling across the Gulf Coast states on Tuesday evening, with reports of tornadoes in Louisiana and Mississippi.
Multiple people were injured as storms hit St. James Parish, about 50 miles west of New Orleans, Sgt. Steven Brignac with the sheriff’s office told CNN. Brignac had no estimate on the number of people injured or missing, but said emergency responders were coming from across the state.
St. James Parish President Timothy P. Roussel told CNN that his area has sustained significant damage after a tornado touched down. Roussel has been briefed about injuries sustained in a trailer park in Convent, but couldn’t say whether anyone had died.
The Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office reported severe damage to businesses in Paincourtville and damage to a home in Belle River. There were no immediate reports of injuries, Deputy Robert Martin said, after two tornadoes reportedly moved through.
Martin told CNN that at last one person in Paincourtville was hospitalized, but he didn’t know details about the person’s condition.
The wind knocked over a water tower, he said. CNN affiliate WAFB tweeted a photo of the wreckage, among other storm damage.
The National Weather Service in Jackson, Mississippi, said a confirmed tornado hit southern Marion County. It issued tornado warnings for Forrest and Lamar counties as well as Yazoo County.
The agency’s office in New Orleans warned residents of St. Tammany Parish in Louisiana and Pearl River, Hancock, and Harrison counties in Mississippi to move to shelters.
Forecasters earlier said at least 20 million people in the southeastern United States are at risk of severe storms and tornadoes into Wednesday.
The National Weather Service is predicting severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and some strong tornadoes along the Gulf Coast from eastern Louisiana to Alabama.
In addition to the threat of strong tornadoes along the Gulf Coast, areas from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle and north to southern Tennessee, are at risk of tornadoes, widespread damaging winds and some large hail.
The Storm Prediction Center issued what’s known as a “particularly dangerous situation” tornado watch for areas of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi.
Schools in parts of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi announced early dismissal and some canceled classes in expectation of the storms.
If you live in or are traveling through the South, be prepared for storms that could produce tornadoes and have a plan to find safety. Be sure you have a way to get the latest severe watch and warning information.
Storm timing
Storms hit Texas early Tuesday and moved to Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi during the afternoon. Georgia and southern Tennessee will likely see severe weather during the evening.
Wednesday, storms will continue through Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and eastern Virginia.
Damaging winds will be the greatest threat, with the threat of tornadoes still possible though not as likely.
