Severe storms and tornadoes hit the South this week, leaving more than 200,000 energy customers without power across five states. Hailstones the size of baseballs fell in Texas, with one hailstone measuring 6.25 inches in diameter, the second largest ever found in the state. Three people have died due to the severe weather, with hail also hitting Granbury, Texas. Thousands of customers in Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina were without power.
Despite the worst of the bad weather passing, 7 million people remained at risk of severe weather on Friday morning, with an “enhanced risk” of intense storms and winds up to 70 mph for parts of Florida. Families in Pecan Plantation described the sound of hail hitting their houses and vehicles as being like bombs, with windows and skylights being smashed. In Maury County, Tennessee, drone footage showed the extensive damage caused by tornadoes, with entire houses destroyed and wooded areas stripped of trees.
In Johnson City, Texas, footage showed the massive hailstones and the damage they caused, including breaking an SUV’s rear window. The storms have brought havoc to the Midwest and Southeast, causing significant power outages. A total of 95,000 customers in Alabama, 57,000 in Mississippi, and 50,000 in Florida were without power, along with 17,000 each in Georgia and North Carolina. Cleanup operations have begun in affected areas, with residents advised on how to dispose of debris.
The National Weather Service office in Jacksonville warned of an “enhanced risk” of intense storms and high winds for parts of Florida. In Pecan Plantation, southwest of Fort Worth, families recounted the hailstorm that battered their homes and vehicles, with one medic describing the sound of hail hitting the ambulance as being like a bomb. Despite the destruction, some children were excited to collect the hailstones as souvenirs. In Maury County, Tennessee, authorities released drone footage showing the extent of the damage caused by tornadoes, with entire houses destroyed and wooded areas left barren.
The storms have left a trail of destruction across the South, with numerous reports of hailstones damaging homes and vehicles. The severe weather has resulted in power outages for thousands of customers and several deaths. Cleanup efforts are ongoing in affected areas, with residents being advised on how to safely dispose of debris. Despite the worst of the storms passing, millions of people remain at risk of severe weather, with warnings of intense storms and high winds in some areas. The damage caused by the hail and tornadoes serves as a reminder of the power and unpredictability of nature.
