Tornado warning - live news: 40 million in US South warned of ‘rare’ twister outbreak amid stormy weather
The most severe weather is likely to affect around a million people in parts of central Mississippi and parts of Louisiana
More than 40 million people in the southern United States are facing severe weather with multiple tornadoes reported overnight.
Parts of Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and Tennessee faced at least 17 tornadoes as well as severe flooding and tennis ball-sized hailstones.
Images and videos of the aftermath of tornadoes show damaged houses, fallen trees and multiple power flashes witnessed across towns.
Affected cities include New Orleans, Memphis, Nashville, and Birmingham. In Louisiana, at least two people were injured inside their homes during the storm.
While in Alabama, a tornado damaged at least 30 houses and knocked out power in part of Hale County.
Schools and universities in Mississippi have asked students to stay home as the weather worsens amid heavy thunderstorms, snowfall and rains.
The weather has caused disturbances to traffic as well in some parts of the Upper Midwest as flood watches were issued.
Threats from the storms were expected to persist through early Wednesday morning. Later today the storm system is forecast to move east.
Watch: Forecasters warn of extreme weather on the way
The regions at risk
The most recent update from the National Weather Service Storm Center in Norman, Oklahoma, in the heart of Tornado Alley, provided the list of the areas to be prepared for severe weather.
Strong tornadoes, very large, “baseball-sized” hail, and severe wind gusts are forecast from Tuesday afternoon into tonight in Northern Alabama, Northeast Louisiana, Southeast Arkansas, Southern Tennessee.
How to prepare
Dr Rick Knabb, a hurricane expert at The Weather Channel, shared tips on how to stay safe during the severe weather.
“Tornado watch doesn’t mean wait until a warning to take any action,” he tweeted “There are things to do right now so you’re ready to quickly take cover in safest room when warning issued. First and foremost get out of mobile homes, off roads, into sturdy building now.
Rare warnings
It’s rare that federal forecasters warn of major tornadoes with the potential for carving damages across long distances, but they are doing so in Tuesday’s forecasts, the Associated Press reported on Tuesday.
“Multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms -- some capable of long-tracked tornadoes with EF3+ damage potential -- will be possible this afternoon into tonight over parts of the lower Mississippi Valley region and Mid-South,” the Norman, Oklahoma-based Storm Prediction Center said.
Tornadoes with an EF3 rating on the Enhanced Fujita tornado scale can produce wind gusts of up to 165 mph (266 kph).
Forecasters warned of the potential for strong tornadoes that could stay on the ground for long distances in parts of the South, as well as flooding rains and hail the size of tennis balls.
More than 25 million people will be at risk as Tuesday’s potent storm system moves across a region stretching from east Texas to Indiana and Georgia. The national Storm Prediction Center said in its latest storm outlook that affected cities could include New Orleans; Memphis and Nashville in Tennessee; and Birmingham, Alabama.
Parts of Louisiana and Mississippi will be at the highest risk for strong storms Tuesday afternoon and evening, with the possibility of severe weather continuing into Wednesday and moving into Alabama.
AP
Tornado watch stretches across the South
A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi until 7pm (central time) on Tuesday.
‘Pea-sized’ hail and tornado warning in Alabama
A tornado warning was put in place until 2.30pm (central time) in the small towns of Fruitdale and Yellow Pine, Alabama.
More than 1,350 people live in the area and two schools are located there, the National Weather Service reported.
What makes a good tornado shelter?
The National Weather Service shared tips on Tuesday of how to take cover during tornadoes.
The best options are an above or below-ground tornado storm shelter that is compliant with the standards of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). A specifically-designed FEMA safe room is also among the best options.
Good options are an interior room of a well-constructed house or building, or a basement.
Bad options are large, open rooms like gymansiums or manufactured housing.
The worst options are mobile homes, vehicles or underneath a highway overpass.
What do you do if caught in your vehicle during a tornado?
Being in a vehicle during a tornado is not safe, the National Weather Service warns.
The best move is to drive to the closest, well-constructed shelter. If this isn’t possible, then either get down in your car and cover your head, or abandon your car and seek shelter in a low lying area such as a ditch or ravine, the NWS advises.
Video shows scale of dangerous storm from above
Weather Channel meteorologist Stu Ostro shared a clip of the storm from above which showed the size of the cells.
More towns in Mississippi fall under tornado warnings
Tornado warnings continue for the towns of Winona, Vaiden, Kilmichael, McComb, Summit and Thompson in Mississippi until 3.45pm (central time).
In the area of Winona, Vaiden and Kilmichael, a tornado has been observed and hail was the size of tennis balls. More than 10,000 people live in the area where two hospitals and six schools are located.
McComb, Summit and Thompson have more than 24,000 residents, seven schools and one hospital. Radar was showing a tornado at this time and hailstones the size of quarters expected.
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