Tornado Emergency issued in Mississippi as South faces threat of multiple violent twisters
The storm has already killed at least 18 people in Missouri, Arkansas and Mississippi, according to officials, with dozens more injured. Other tornado damage was reported in parts of Indiana and Mississippi.
'One-third' of Missouri affected by severe storms Friday, state senator says
Missouri State Sen. Brad Hudson said at least a third of Missouri was affected by the severe storms that hammered the state Friday night.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A dangerous tornado outbreak which started on Friday evening continued into the first half of the weekend with at least 18 deaths across the nation's heartland and South.
Saturday's round of tornadic storms caused damage in parts of Mississippi and Louisiana and triggered the issuance of a rare Tornado Emergency around the town of Taylorsville.
Farther south, emergency crews reported a tornado strike in Kentwood, Louisiana, causing damage to several homes and downed power lines, according to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office. One person needed rescue, but there were no known significant injuries, deputies said.
WHAT IS A ‘TORNADO EMERGENCY’?
Days ahead of the event, the Storm Prediction Center issued a threat level of a 5 out of 5 on its severe storm risk scale and warned of the potential of EF4 or greater tornadoes.
Large, violent tornado spotted over Taylorsville, Mississippi
Significant damage was done in Central Mississippi by a large, violent tornado on Saturday afternoon.
EARTHQUAKE STRIKES MISSISSIPPI AS TORNADOES TEAR THROUGH STATE
Radar imagery showed Walthall County in Mississippi was struck by two significant tornadoes just about 45 minutes apart.
Data from Findenergy.com showed more than 50,000 customers from the three states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama were without power as of Saturday afternoon.
Radar shows two likely tornadoes (indicated by blue coloring on Doppler Radar debris tracker) struck Walthall County, Mississippi just about 44 minutes apart on March 15, 2025. (FOX Weather)
The Storm Prediction Center issued several Tornado Watches from Louisiana into Tennessee and Georgia, but most watch boxes are expected to expire before midnight.
The SPC says there is a greater than 95% chance of at least two tornadoes in the watch area and a similar greater than 95% chance of 1 or more tornadoes of at least EF-2 strength. But beyond that, the SPC warns conditions are ripe for tornadoes to reach "violent" strengths, rating EF-4 or higher on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.
"Multiple, destructive EF3-EF4+ tornadoes are likely," SPC said.
The region had already been placed in a dire and rare Level 5 risk on its five-point severe weather risk scale for portions of Alabama and Mississippi, including Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Jackson and Hattiesburg. It means a high likelihood of supercell thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes and damaging winds.
Extensive damage seen after tornado hits Elliot, Mississippi
FOX Weather's Robert Ray reports from Elliot, Mississippi, after a tornado swept through the town and caused significant damage.
THE SPC 5-POINT SEVERE THUNDERSTORM RISK CATEGORY SCALE EXPLAINED
Storms threaten I-95 corridor Sunday
The end of the multiday severe weather outbreak will happen Sunday when nearly 70 million people from the Northeast to Florida face a risk of severe weather.
The worst of the storms are expected from Virginia to Florida, where a Level 2 out of 5 risk exists.
Hail and damaging winds are the primary concerns, but an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out especially over the Carolinas.
The threat of thunderstorms has already altered some early St. Patrick's Day Celebrations and tee times at The Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.