U.S. weather forecasters have issued a warning for severe weather this weekend, with the threat of tornados looming over multiple states. This comes after at least five twisters touched down in Missouri on Friday, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
The storms on Friday left over 100,000 buildings without power as they continued into the night. The National Weather Service has predicted that the tornado risk will continue into the weekend, affecting states such as Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama. According to Accuweather, the storm risk is expected to peak from Saturday afternoon to Saturday night.
The potential for severe weather has raised concerns for the safety and well-being of residents in the affected areas. The National Weather Service has warned of heavy thunderstorms from the Midwest to the Mississippi Valley, bringing with them the possibility of flash flooding, power outages, downed trees, and travel disruptions.
In response to the looming threat, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey issued a state of emergency on Friday, which will extend into Sunday. In her proclamation, she stated that “this severe weather could cause significant damage to public and private property and poses a danger to the health and safety of the people of Alabama, including potential disruption of essential utility systems, personal injury, and loss of life.” This declaration means that the state’s National Guard will be on alert and could be activated if necessary.
Missouri has also declared a state of emergency in response to the severe weather. Forecasters are predicting that the thunderstorms will swamp the South and move towards the East Coast on Saturday night into Sunday. While the tornado threat is expected to decrease, the East Coast may still face hail and potentially damaging wind gusts.
The storm system is expected to move off into the Atlantic Ocean by Sunday night into Monday. However, the aftermath of the severe weather will likely be felt for days to come as communities work to recover and rebuild.
Despite the potential for destruction, it is important to remain positive and prepared during this time. It is crucial to follow the instructions and warnings of local authorities and to have an emergency plan in place. In the face of adversity, it is also heartening to see the resilience and strength of communities coming together to support one another.
Let us all stay safe and vigilant during this severe weather and remember to lend a helping hand to those in need. Together, we can weather any storm.
