One person was reportedly killed and over 20 were injured when a tornado ripped through Mississippi on Sunday night.
A series of storms and tornadoes reportedly ripped through Jasper County, MS, Sunday night through to the early hours of Monday morning, according to CNN and the National Weather Service’s tornado watch for Jackson, MS. Those displaced by the extreme weather have been told to go to the Jasper County Community Center, according to a post on Facebook from the Sheriff’s department. But it’s unclear how many more extreme events like this could happen throughout the rest of 2023.
The tornado left severe damage to local infrastructure, and it could be that more injuries are reported as the day progresses, Weather.com wrote.
NEW VIDEO: Louin, MS faces extensive destruction this morning. A destructive tornado damaged the town overnight.
Here’s a view from above of the ruins left behind. #MSwx #tornado pic.twitter.com/ctnBkVTcDs
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) June 19, 2023
Local agencies reported that more than 49,000 customers are currently without power throughout the central region of the state, along with more than half a million Americans in parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.
The power outages are being blamed on an extreme heatwave currently striking the U.S., causing large storm systems to develop across the eastern half of the nation, CNN noted. And these storms are showing no signs of slowing down. (RELATED: Photo Shows Canadian Wildfire Smoke Continuing To Engulf US)
From the Gulf Coast to the Southeast, including major cities in Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Austin, and more should expect large wind gusts, hail, and tornadoes throughout the coming days, CNN noted.