U.S.

Mississippi, Alabama Brace for More Severe Weather

Residents of Mississippi, Alabama and other southern states are preparing for another bout of severe weather, which has already killed up to 30 people in two days. 

By Danielle Wiener-Bronner
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Residents of Mississippi, Alabama, and other southern states are preparing for another bout of severe weather on Tuesday, from the same storm system which has already killed up to 30 people in two days.

USA Today put the death toll at 28, noting that 11 people were killed on Monday in Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. CNN reported 29 casualties, and Mashable said today that the figure has risen to 30; the outlet says 15 people were killed in Arkansas, up to six in Alabama, seven in Mississippi, one in Oklahoma and one in Iowa.

CNN explains that while the deep south is at highest risk of more tornadoes on Tuesday, up to 75 million Americans could be affected by the storms:

People from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast, and from the Midwest to the East Coast, are advised to keep their eyes to the sky and their ears to the radio. That's a third of the country. The greatest risk will again be in the Deep South, with Mississippi and Alabama in the bull's-eye for the worst of the storms.

Dark green shows flash flood warnings. Via NWS
Large swathes of the SouthEast have received a flash flood warnings. Georgia Governor Nathan Deal declared a state of emergency on Monday night, saying that "At this juncture, we’ve declared the emergency for the entire state because it’s impossible to pinpoint where the weather will hit,” adding "Georgia is threatened at least through tomorrow and perhaps into Wednesday." Alabama and Mississippi also declared states of emergency, and Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe asked for federal assistance to deal with the destruction.
Survivors of the storm describe a frightening scene in the tornado-hit states. WMCTV in Mississippi reports:

"Right as it ripped the roof off the building over there we all jumped in the pit," said Havoline Express Lube Manager Anthony Bishop. Bishop says he and his co-workers immediately took cover and started praying. "Heard blocks hitting cars above me glass flying all around the pit where we were," he said. When the storm stopped the men couldn't believe the damage. Roof tops and buildings were ripped off — some wiped away completely.

Images of destruction are similarly terrifying:
Athens, Alabama. AP/Butch Dill

Mayflower, Arkansas. AP Photo/Danny Johnston

Tuscaloosa, Alabama. REUTERS/Gene Blevins
But some are also heartwarming:
This article is from the archive of our partner The Wire.