A very serious situation is unfolding today as all the necessary ingredients are coming together for a destructive tornado outbreak. Posted on 04/24/2010 9:45:34 AM PDT by mlizzy
A very serious situation is unfolding today as all the necessary ingredients are coming together for a destructive tornado outbreak.
You can follow the latest news and developments throughout the day concerning this tornado outbreak on weather.com's News and Development's page.
Several tornadoes are likely across the states of Mississippi and Alabama. Some of these tornadoes will be long-tracking, large tornadoes.
It's just not MS and AL however, adjacent states including Louisiana, Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee will also be under the gun for powerful tornadoes, large hail and destructive winds.
Some cities in the target zone today include Lexington (KY), Bowling Green (KY), Nashville (TN), Memphis (TN), Jackson (TN), Birmingham (AL), Tuscaloosa (AL), Jackson (MS), Meridian (MS), Tupelo (MS), Pine Bluff (AR) and Little Rock (AR).
Interactive map: Tornado outbreak radar focus
Storm Watch: The severe weather set-up
The Weather Channel and weather.com will providing continuing coverage of this dangerous day of weather.
Waiting for it here in Nashville. Wife has flashlight and radio ready to go to basement, I’m supposed to grab the dog. I’ve got a frend coming over to smoke a cigar and drink Scotch.
Yes, the people who have virtually nothing are good people and they’re just thankful to be alive.
“I’ve got a frend coming over to smoke a cigar and drink Scotch.”
Good way to pass the time. I have been through a bad tornado. Be careful.
Most people I know in that part of the country don’t have shelters. My best friend had one because of her special needs son. She works for the state and knows how to get things like that. The state or feds helped pay for it a few years ago. Normally, I would not cotton to things like that(freebies from the state,etc.) but can understand it for her circumstance. It’s very hard to move him very fast. That’s why I was in a panic when the news first broke. I knew that if she didn’t get any warning or have time to get him in that shelter, that she and he were likely badly hurt or worse. It just an earthen type shelter with a small area under ground and earth built up on three sides.
Prayers to all in the path of the storm!
In Choctaw County in central Mississippi, WTVA News reported at least seven people died after a severe storm ripped through the French Camp area. The sheriff’s office would only confirm there were multiple fatalities and injuries, along with widespread damage.
In Yazoo County in west-central Mississippi, Yazoo City Mayor McArthur Straughter estimated about 15 to 20 buildings had been heavily damaged in his city.
“It’s devastating. All of the buildings up in this area have had the roof torn off,” Straughter said.
Flynn said three deaths were reported in Yazoo County.
Dozens of people were injured as the tornado swept across at least six Mississippi counties, said Jeff Rent of state Emergency Management. Yazoo City appeared to be the hardest-hit, Rent said.
In Louisiana, the Madison Parish Sheriff’s Office said a tornado destroyed a chemical plant and heavily damaged or destroyed 20 to 25 houses in the Tallulah area, trapping people in houses and the plant.
More than a dozen people were treated for cuts, bruises and broken bones, said Laura Henderson, who works at the hospital there.
WLBT-TV reported numerous buildings were leveled at Highway 16 on the south side of the Yazoo City. A church was also reported destroyed.
The Hinds County Sheriff’s Department was sending two dozen deputies and about 100 inmates to assist with the response in Yazoo County and clear debris.
Survivor’s tale
Amid the destruction, a stunning tale of survival arose. Dale Thrasher, a Yazoo City man, told WLBT-TV he was inside the Hillcrest Baptist when his wife called him around 11:30 a.m. to tell him that a tornado was approaching. Thrasher looked outside and saw the rain and the funnel cloud. The only place he had to go was back inside the church.
Thrasher ran into the sanctuary and dived underneath the communion table as the church came down around him. Thrasher was not hurt.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36755249/ns/weather/
Strong line heading towards Nashville, but on my radar, it looks like the worst will 'maybe' pass north of the city. It's less than a county away from Davidson now. Did see some deep purple showing on the radar, but that part seems to be up in KY now.
Nick Filo, National Weather Service meteorologist, said the tornado “was just getting going as it went through Tallulah.”
“We’re talking about one tornado. Basically grab a map, find Tallulah, find Yazoo City and draw a straight line between two cities because it nailed them both,” Filo said.
Wow...thanks for the link. This is just awful. Poor old yazoo was having a hard enough time keeping afloat these days and now this.
More prayers.
I’m in Huntsville too (the south end). Have been praying all day for us and everyone within the watch area.
Stay safe FRiend.
Isn’t French Camp off the Natchez Trace? There must have been several super cells going through Ms. at the time. This is just awful.
There’s no way I could have snapped that shot. I’d have been too busy diving for cover, and then changing my shorts.
That’s a good link; thanks!
Tornado Warning Springfield, IL area:
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.