JACKSON, Miss. —A powerful line of thunderstorms produced at least two radar-confirmedtornadoesin 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 ofrainto millions east of theMississippiRiver, as parts of the Deep South and Gulf Coast remain in the bullseye for significantflash floodingandsevere stormsthrough Friday.
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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 moretornadoesare possible. This comes after the first cross-country storm spawned at least four tornadoes across Oklahoma Thursday.
Tornado Rips Through Purcell, Oklahoma Spawning Trail Of Damage
Meanwhile, an intense corridor of flash flooding will be possible Friday into Saturday across southern Mississippi nearHattiesburgand south ofJackson,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 ofLouisiana,Mississippiand westernTennessee, with the highest risk extending fromBaton Rouge, Louisiana, north toMemphis, Tennesseeand east toBirmingham, Alabama.
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The continued threat of tornadoes comes after a strong EF-1 tornado ripped throughPurcell,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 inNormanandTulsaare 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 into midday, followed by another round later in the afternoon and overnight.
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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 theTennessee 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 Watchesare now up fromNew OrleansthroughNashville, extending over 600 miles.
Much 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.
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 ofGeorgiaand the Carolinas.
As the storm exits the region, the possibility of flash flooding remains across east Tennessee and westernNorth Carolina.
Original article source:Tornadoes tear across Mississippi as major storm threatens millions with severe weather, flash flooding
