At least two people were killed and six others injured as tornadoes touched down across Texas and Mississippi on Saturday, causing widespread damage and chaos. The deadly storm system affected several areas, particularly south of Houston and parts of Mississippi, leaving homes damaged, vehicles flipped, and thousands without power.
In Texas, the most severe damage occurred in the Liverpool area, located south of Houston, where one person lost their life. Four additional people sustained injuries, though none were considered critical, according to Madison Polston, a spokesperson for the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office. Polston reported multiple tornado touchdowns spanning across the county, including areas between Liverpool, Hillcrest Village, and Alvin. While officials have confirmed around 10 homes were damaged, damage assessments are ongoing, and the full extent of the destruction is yet to be determined.
Mississippi also faced devastation, where one fatality was reported in Adams County, and two others were injured in Franklin County. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency confirmed the storm’s significant impact, but additional reports on the damage are still forthcoming.
Meteorologist Josh Lichter from the National Weather Service warned that the storm system was expected to worsen throughout the evening and overnight as it moved eastward. “These storms are probably going to get a lot worse this evening and overnight the further east you go,” he said. The Houston area alone experienced at least six tornado touchdowns, and damage from both tornadoes and straight-line winds was observed.
The tornadoes severely impacted communities north of Houston, including Katy and Porter Heights, where mobile homes were either damaged or destroyed. A fire station in the area also suffered damage when its doors were blown in. The storm also caused significant disruption at Houston’s two major airports—Bush Intercontinental and Hobby—with flight delays of over an hour.
As a result of the storms, approximately 71,000 utility customers in Mississippi were left without power, with that number expected to rise as the situation develops. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency’s chief communications officer, Malary White, stated that while no official damage reports had been released, emergency responders were focused on ensuring public safety and accounting for everyone. “We do anticipate more thorough damage assessments starting in the early morning hours,” White added.
With the storm’s destructive path still unfolding, authorities are working tirelessly to support affected communities and assess the full scope of the damage. First responders are prioritizing the safety of residents and providing assistance where needed, while local officials prepare for further challenges as the storm continues to move across the region.
Sources By Agencies
