Tornadoes leave four dead, widespread damage across five US states

A powerful storm system wreaked havoc across the southern United States over the weekend, leaving four people dead and causing extensive destruction in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia.

The National Weather Service reported at least 45 instances of tornado damage, with survey crews confirming multiple tornadoes. The storms disrupted holiday travel, leading to over 600 flight delays at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

In Texas, at least five tornadoes were recorded near Houston. In Brazoria County, a 48-year-old woman was found dead near her home, while four others sustained injuries. Over 40 homes were significantly damaged. In Montgomery County, 30 homes were destroyed, and 50 others were severely affected.

Mississippi also suffered severe losses, with two fatalities reported. An 18-year-old died when a tree fell on her home in Natchez, and another person lost their life in Lowndes County. Tornadoes in Bude and Brandon caused extensive structural damage.

In Alabama, the city of Athens saw roofs ripped off buildings and a military helicopter display toppled. North Carolina reported one fatality after a tree fell on a pickup truck, with storm damage exacerbating road closures.

Over 40,000 residents in Mississippi remained without power as of Sunday afternoon, with additional outages reported in Texas, Alabama, North Carolina, and Georgia.