Tornadoes tear across Mississippi as major storm threatens millions with severe weather

JACKSON, Miss. — A powerful line of thunderstorms produced at least two radar-confirmed tornadoes in Mississippi around 6:30 a.m. CT.

These storms were powered by a cold front from a cross-country storm that’s delivering heavy rounds of rain to millions east of the Mississippi River, as parts of the Deep South and Gulf Coast remain in the bullseye for significant flash flooding and severe storms through Friday.

Tornado Warnings were issued across parts of Mississippi and Louisiana on Friday morning.

No word on the extent of any damage or injuries.

Damaging wind gusts are expected to remain the main threat of severe storms, but more tornadoes are possible.

This comes after the first cross-country storm spawned at least four tornadoes across Oklahoma on Thursday.

Meanwhile, an intense corridor of flash flooding will be possible Friday into Saturday across southern Mississippi near Hattiesburg and south of Jackson, according to the FOX Forecast Center.

Over eight million people are under a 2 out of 5 severe storm risk that is in place across parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and western Tennessee, with the highest risk extending from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, north to Memphis, Tennessee, and east to Birmingham, Alabama.

The continued threat of tornadoes comes after a strong EF-1 tornado ripped through Purcell, Oklahoma, as a line of storms moved through the area.

Though no one was injured, the tornado left a trail of destruction, downing power lines and uprooting trees. 

The National Weather Service offices in Norman and Tulsa are still surveying damage, but confirmed three other tornadoes near the Oklahoma City area.

In a classic set up for severe weather in the South, multiple rounds of storms are expected Friday from the Tennessee Valley to the Gulf Coast, elevating the threat of flash flooding.

The first round will arrive on Friday morning to midday, followed by another round later in the afternoon and overnight.

Given the abundant moisture and the likelihood of repeated rounds of storms, flash flooding remains a concern across middle Tennessee, northern Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

Rainfall totals will generally range from 2 to 3 inches across most of the Tennessee Valley; however, isolated pockets could see totals reach up to 5 inches.

However, the greatest threat covers parts of southern Mississippi, where NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center has issued a Level 3 out of 4 risk of flash flooding.

A corridor from Jackson to Hattiesburg could see rain rates of up to 3 inches per hour Friday, the FOX Forecast Center said.

Flood Watches are now up from New Orleans through Nashville, extending over 600 miles.

Many of the areas included in flood watches are currently in a drought, increasing the risk for flash flooding as the expected rainfall rates may exceed what the dry ground can absorb.

Southern severe threat continues into Saturday

Severe weather may continue into Saturday as the cold front moves east.

A level 1 out of 5 severe storm risk is already in place across parts of Georgia and the Carolinas.

As the storm exits the region, the possibility of flash flooding remains across east Tennessee and western North Carolina.