A dangerous storm system is currently wreaking havoc across the South, unleashing heavy rainfall and spawning deadly tornadoes. This severe weather event spans across several states, including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.
According to officials, one person in Mississippi was injured and a total of 72 homes across the state have been damaged.
Three tornadoes have been confirmed up to this point: two in Louisiana and one in Texas.
A powerful tornado tore through Slidell, Louisiana, just 30 miles outside of New Orleans, causing significant damage to buildings and knocking down power lines amidst heavy rainfall.
More than 50 individuals have been rescued in Slidell, and some have been taken to hospitals with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening, according to local authorities. Many of the injuries occurred in a severely damaged apartment complex with the second-floor roof ripped off.
Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal said at a press conference Wednesday evening that there were no deaths or serious injuries as a result of the tornado.
However, Fandal stated that officials have called the devastation in Slidell and areas of St. Tammany Parish “catastrophic.”
According to authorities, the hurricane damaged hundreds of homes in St. Tammany Parish, with Slidell likely losing just under a hundred. Slidell Fire Chief Chris Kaufmann reported that they evacuated over 50 people from a storm-damaged apartment complex.
A tornado watch is in force until Wednesday evening in coastal Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and around Panama City, Florida.
The excessive rain has also increased the risk of severe flooding.
More than 150,000 Louisiana customers have lost power, and several schools have shuttered.
