Severe Thunderstorms Damage Trees, Drop Large Hail Throughout the Deep South Sunday

http://www.weather.com/storms/severe/news/severe-thunderstorms-impacts-south-gulf-coast-georgia-alabama-florida

Severe thunderstorms moved into the South Sunday, causing damage across several states. Several tornadoes were also spotted in the area. 

Alabama

There have been several reports of tornadoes in Alabama today, including a confirmed category EF-1 tornado that touched down in Russell County just west of Oswichee along AL-165. That tornado, which moved Northeast to the Georgia state line, traveled approximately 3.5 miles.

Another tornado was reportedly spotted in Henry County, in southeastern Alabama, around 9:30 a.m. Sunday, though it has not been confirmed by the National Weather Service. NWS did say that numerous rail cars were overturned due to the storm.

In Leesburg, winds blew a tree onto a home, causing the family inside to sustain minor injuries.

The NWS also reports that strong winds damaged agricultural buildings at Pleasant Valley High School located in Calhoun, Alabama.

Winds have knocked down trees in other parts of the state. In southern Alabama, at least 5,000 people have lost power, according to Alabama Power. In Madison, wind gusts up to 56 mph were reported, and in Huntsville, a large tree fell on a home. 

Hailstorms Hit Arkansas, Mississippi During Round of Mid-South Severe Weather

Severe weather is underway in the Mid-South, dumping large hail on parts of Arkansas and Mississippi Tuesday afternoon.

Hail the size of golf balls and slightly larger was reported by storm spotters in towns near Little Rock on Tuesday. As the storms moved southeast baseball size hail was reported in parts of southeastern Arkansas and northwestern Mississippi on Tuesday afternoon. At least one vehicle near Metcalfe, Mississippi was damaged.

In southeastern Arkansas, north of Gould,  a funnel cloud was spotted on Tuesday afternoon. On the other side of the state in southwestern Arkansas a shed was blown across a field.

A 27-year-old woman, who was leaning against a metal door frame, was struck by lightning near Cullman, Ala., the National Weather Service reported. She was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Golf ball size hail was also reported in parts of Alabama, including in Tuscaloosa and in La Grange, Georgia. There were many reports of trees down in Georgia, including near Eastman where power outages were reported.

(MORE: Check the Severe Threat in the Coming Hours and Days)

"Weak disturbances are moving across the South, where sufficient moisture is in place for the development of thunderstorms capable of producing large hail and localized damaging wind gusts," said weather.com meteorologist Chris Dolce. "This threat through Tuesday evening will be along a west-to-east swath from southern Oklahoma and northern Texas to Georgia. Additional severe storms are possible in parts of the Plains, Midwest and South through Friday."

We are collecting the most striking images and video from this severe weather event; please browse them below and check back frequently as this story develops.

http://www.weather.com/storms/severe/news/severe-weather-midsouth-southeast

Dothan Residents Recovering after Severe Weather Packs a Punch

http://www.mypanhandle.com/story/d/story/dothan-residents-recovering-after-severe-weather-p/30949/3TcLgnnZJEiC6UmBtP9S6g

The sound of chainsaws a stern reminder of what turned out to be one of the worst weather disasters to strike Dothan in more than 10 years.

“You could hear it like something roaring,” said Johnny Walker whose house was damaged by the storm. “My wife was here by herself you know -- it was awful.”

Whether it was a tornado or straight line winds hasn’t yet been confirmed by the National Weather Service. But the end result---the same—no matter what it was.

In one case a car is trampled by a big tree that fell, but that was a blessing because when the tree fell there was a van parked next to it. Inside—by herself---an 11-year-old girl.

“As soon as saw the tree I ran to get the girl out of the van,” said an eyewitness. “I couldn’t find a way.  Everything was like damaged.”

Trees blocked streets and power lines lined the ground. Miraculously---nobody was hurt.

“We just thank God most all that nobody got hurt—killed---none of that stuff,” said Walker. 

Symposium will examine region’s severe weather hazards

http://www.cbs19.tv/story/28910111/slight-risk-of-severe-weather-remains-in-forecast

In response to the April 9 tornado in the northern Illinois region, the NIU Department of Geography is inviting the public to a tornado and weather preparedness symposium that will feature talks by weather and emergency-response experts.

It will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 30, in the auditorium of Montgomery Hall on campus.

NIU meteorology professor Walker Ashley will be among the speakers and will examine several different scenarios that could have played out had the tornado taken a different path over more populated and developed areas.

A detailed story on the symposium is posted to the

Blame game: Climate change causing extreme weather

http://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2015/04/27/global-warming-climate-change-extreme-weather/26461685/

Man-made global warming is responsible for about 75% of all hot-temperature extremes worldwide in the past 100 years, according to a study published Monday in the British journal Nature Climate Change.

It is also responsible for about 18% of heavy rainfall, the study said.

Even worse, climate change will cause higher percentages of extreme weather in future decades. For example, by the middle of this century, if temperatures continue to increase, about 95% of all heat waves — and about 40% of precipitation extremes — will be due to human influence.

Man-made climate change is caused by the burning of fossil fuels such as gas, coal and oil, which release greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, warming the globe to levels that cannot be explained by natural variability.

The study's scientists used 25 climate computer models to test their theories. Lead author Erich Fischer, a climate scientist at ETH Zurich, a Swiss university, said the models "agree remarkably well on the change in heavy rainfall and hot extremes at the global scale."

Winds in excess of 50 mph, severe weather threatens coastal region Monday

Monday's weather poses risk to land and sea, as clouds loom on the horizon and news of 111 mph wind gusts and a tornado emerge from the New Orleans area.

The National Weather Service is urging people to stay out of the water with a special marine warning in effect for up to 60 miles out from the coast on Monday, according to meteorologist Brian Daly. 

Inland, strong storms are expected within the next couple of hours.

Approximately 2-4 inches of rain is expected on the coast, decreasing north of the interstate, with areas of heavier rain possible in localized areas.

Daly warned that winds in excess of 50 mph are possible, which can be especially dangerous to structures, limbs and more.

The storm that passed through New Orleans left 70,000 without power earlier today, according to GulfLive.com.

http://www.al.com/news/mobile/index.ssf/2015/04/winds_in_excess_of_50_mph_seve.html

Severe weather wrapup: North Texas sees heavy wind, rain

http://www.wfaa.com/story/news/local/2015/04/24/severe-weather-rain-tornado-north-texas-dallas-fort-worth/26314461/

8:47p The Tornado Watch for North Texas has been scaled back extensively. DFW is now in the clear! Continues east/southeast. - WFAA meteorologist Pete Delkus

Texas counties under a tornado watch until 10 p.m. on April 24, 2015. (Photo: WFAA)

8:21p Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Van Zandt County until 9:00 p.m. - WFAA meteorologist Pete Delkus

8:17p And now that the storms have mostly passed our viewing area, we were left with spectacular sunsets!

News 8's Colleen Coyle took this picture in Wilmer.

The sunset in Wilmer after heavy thunderstorms on April 24, 2015. (Photo: Colleen Coyle)

7:40p Severe storms leaving Dallas County, impacting Rockwall and Kaufman Counties. Very heavy rain, lightning, and wind. - WFAA.com

Severe weather heading toward Jazz Fest, Weather Service warns

http://www.nola.com/jazzfest/index.ssf/2015/04/jazz_fest_weather_warning_rain.

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Orleans Parish, including the grounds of the New Orleans Jazz Fest, and much of southeastern Louisiana. On Saturday at 12:25 p.m, the National Weather Service was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Destrehan, west of New Orleans.

"Half-inch hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with this storm," the National Weather Service said. "Those attending Jazz Fest are in the path of this storm and should prepare for imminent dangerous weather conditions."

The threat of severe weather is expected to diminish Saturday evening.

The most recent Weather Service forecast puts the chances for showers and thunderstorms in the New Orleans area on Saturday afternoon and evening -- Day 2 of the 2015 New Orleans Jazz Fest -- at 40 percent.

Summary: Several rounds of severe weather for Abilene, the Big Country

http://www.ktxs.com/news/summary-weekend-severe-weather-for-abilene-the-big-country/32590104

ABILENE, Texas -

The Big Country, Concho Valley, and the Heartland witnessed numerous rounds of severe weather over the past five days.

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Our roller coaster ride with the weather started last Wednesday when tornado warnings were issued by the mid afternoon just west of Abilene.

A land spout tornado captured by Scotty Bailey on his tractor happened that afternoon.    

In addition to tornado warnings, multiple hail reports came in from across the Big Country, spanning from nickel size hail up to golf ball size.

Just two days later on Friday April 24th, severe storms were back again.

The National Weather Service storm survey team out of San Angelo confirmed that an EF-1 tornado touched down in Runnels County.

It was on the ground for eight and a half miles before letting up just a mile northwest of Novice in Coleman County. Along its path, the tornado snapped trees and even caused damage to some structures.

http://www.wbng.com/news/local/New-York-State-begins-Severe-Weather-Awareness-Week-301466191.html

(WBNG Binghamton) New York's Severe Storm Awareness Week runs from April 26 - May 2. Members of the National Weather Service want to make sure residents are prepared.

According to experts, this time of year shows the greatest potential for damaging tornadoes, flooding and lightning strikes in the Twin Tiers.

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"In fact, four years ago on this date, we had a major tornado outbreak that made its way up to southern New York,” Dave Nicosia, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said. “We can have severe weather earlier in the season, but climatologically our severe weather really picks up at the end of May and it last through the summer and tapers off in September."

Each day this week, the National Weather service will be focusing on a different aspect of severe weather events. Presentations on how to be prepared for when disaster strikes are available here.

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Cleanup underway from Monday's severe weather in Louisiana

http://newsok.com/cleanup-underway-from-mondays-severe-weather/article/feed/832165

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Cleanup was underway and power companies continued to restore electricity to homes and businesses across southeast Louisiana on Tuesday in the aftermath of severe weather.

After Monday's storms, about 81,400 homes and businesses remained without power late Tuesday morning, according to power company websites. About 78,500 were customers of Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans.

Entergy said customers in the worst-hit areas should be prepared for outages of up to 48 and even 72 hours.

High winds downed trees and utility poles as the weather system moved across southeast Louisiana.

Trees damaged homes from Lake Charles to New Orleans, but state officials say no one was hurt in the storms.

Union Pacific Railroad continued its cleanup of five rail cars carrying 10 freight containers that were blown off the Huey P. Long Bridge.

Officials said the east and westbound rails across the bridge were inspected, and the line reopened at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday.

In Kenner, a tornado touched down at 10:23 a.m. Monday, National Weather Service Meteorologist Gavin Phillips said.

A survey crew estimated the tornados winds at 90 miles, he said. It traveled nearly half a mile on the ground and was 50 yards wide.

"The tornado lifted the roof off of the back of a porch on Tulane Drive and uprooted a hard wood tree in front of a house on West Loyola," Phillips said.

He said the most significant damage from the storm was at Loyola and West Esplanade, where multiple wooden power poles and a few trees were snapped.

Rain totals varied from one-to-two to three-to-four in isolated areas, Phillips said.

Additional rain was expected Tuesday, but nothing like Monday's downpour, he added.

Potential for severe weather again Tuesday

Rain and thunderstorms are expected Tuesday, but the highest potential for severe weather could stay to the south of Dothan, according to a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

“There is potential for severe weather tomorrow. It would be most likely be further to your south in North Florida,” Meteorologist Katie Moore said. “But depending on how the low tracks, if it moves more inland, there would be more of a threat for the Southeast Alabama area.”

Boaters rescued after Miss. Coast severe weather

http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2015/04/26/mississippi-coast-severe-weather/26419913/

BILOXI, Miss. - A waterspout stranded more than a dozen people on Petit Bois Island, and thunderstorms slammed down tents at an art festival and canceled the annual re-enactment of explorer Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville's landing in 1699 as thunderstorms swept along the Mississippi Coast.

The boaters were rescued and, though art was damaged at the ColOHR Fest in Biloxi, no serious injuries were reported from Saturday's storms.

Witnesses reported that a waterspout had capsized two anchored boats at Petit Bois, stranding the people who rode out in them, Jackson County Sheriff Mike Ezell tells WLOX-TV. He said the Jackson County Marine Patrol rescued nine children and four adults, and the Coast Guard rescued four other people.

Artists at the festival in Biloxi said winds broke pottery and glass, and rain damaged paintings and frames.

"We were hunkered down inside the building, most of us, when the wind come through and the lightning. It took up most of the tents, and some of the tents collapsed into the other tents," said Dani Davis, a painter. She said most of her acrylics got wet, and frames were damaged by wind and water.

In Ocean Springs, the storm blew apart huts built to portray an Indian village where d'Iberville bought land rights from local Native Americans for a few shiny baubles, The Mississippi Press reported.

August Taconi of the host 1699 Historical Society said, "One hut lifted into the air and then just disintegrated, and the other just blew away. It turned out a real mess. We've just been down there cleaning up."

He said the other activities — pet parade, Mass, reception and 5K run — all went well. The landing reenactment was called off about 3 p.m.

Severe weather slams parts of south Louisiana, tornado reported

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) -Many in south Louisiana and southern Mississippi experienced severe weather Monday, with one tornado reported, flooding in some areas and damage in many parts.

The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings, severe thunderstorm warnings, tornado watches and flash flood watches Monday morning. Some of those started to expire as the storms quickly moved to the east. If viewing this story on a mobile device, click here to see additional features - http://shout.lt/1K7F. WAFB Weather App - http://is.gd/K4D93O WAFB News App -http://is.gd/nbY0Rx

There was a report of a tornado near Thibodaux, but there has been no word of damage from it. There are reports of flooding in many parts of south Louisiana and drivers are urged to stay off the roads. Some places reported high winds, lightning and hail. There are lots of power outages across the area. It is unknown when power will be restored. It is believed the storms are moving to the east at about 60 mph. 

http://www.wafb.com/story/28904741/severe-weather-causes-damage-across-south-louisiana-tornado-reported

Baton Rouge severe weather: 70,000 without power, LSU cancels classes

http://www.gulflive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/04/severe_weather_leaves_70000_wi.html

Strong thunderstorms in the Baton Rouge area on Monday, producing heavy rain and knocking out power lines.

Entergy reports power outages have affected more than 70,500 customers in the Baton Rouge area as of 10:35 a.m., according to a NOLA.com report.

Per the report, Louisiana State University has cancelled classes because of the conditions. School officials have issued a shelter in place until further notice.

However, AL.com reports LSU cancelled classes shortly before 10 a.m. on Monday, about an hour after the threat of tornadic activity was miles away from the campus.

The National Weather Service said the tornado warning for Baton Rouge and Livingston Parish expired at 10 a.m. on Monday morning as a round of severe weather moves through south Louisiana. 

Mike Chustz with EMS told The Advocate there are no major injuries to report.

Per The Advocate:

In its Twitter feed, the NWS relayed several reports of funnel clouds across south Louisiana, from law enforcement noting a tornado near Thibodaux Medical Center to a funnel spotted near Schriever. The Weather Service also warned of continued strong winds, saying a "wake low" has developed with 40 to 50 miles per hour winds.

11 things to remember during severe weather

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - Chief Meteorologist Ed Buckner shares a list of 11 things you should remember during severe weather:

1. Stay away from windows.

2. Go to the bottom most floor of your home or building. Getting below ground is best.

3. A Tornado Warning means a tornado has been sighted or detected by radar. Pay absolute attention to these and get into a safe place if your are nearby.

4. A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for tornado development. Keep your eye on the forecast and get your safe place ready.

http://www.thv11.com/story/news/2015/04/27/11-things-to-remember-during-severe-weather/26467349/

Severe weather moves through SE Texas; more heavy thunderstorms possible

HOUSTON -

Severe storms rocked Southeast Texas early Monday morning. Meteorologist Britta Merwin says the radar is quiet now but this brief break will not last long. Strong storms could pop up this afternoon.

A few of these storms could turn severe. The main threats will be damaging winds, hail, heavy rain, lightning and isolated tornadoes.

After a cold front pushes through Monday night, the weather will slowly turn calm for the rest of the week with cooler temperatures in the 70s.

http://www.click2houston.com/news/tornado-watch-in-effect-until-9-am/32586204

1 confirmed dead; four boaters unaccounted for after severe weather capsized boats at Dauphin Island Regatta

http://www.al.com/news/mobile/index.ssf/2015/04/several_boaters_missing_after.html

At least one person has died after a patch of severe weather disrupted the Dauphin Island Regatta Saturday afternoon, leaving more than 100 sailors to struggle with harsh winds and rain.

At least one person was confirmed dead, said Dauphin Island Mayor Jeff Collier, but he did not know the cause.

"Apparently there were a number of vessels that became distressed, either capsized or what have you. They were scattered anywhere from Dauphin Island Bridge all the way out into Mobile Bay and across to Fort Morgan. It was a wide area," Collier said.

"When the storm came through the sailboats were in varying places -- all the way from Dauphin Island to Middle Bay Lighthouse."

Many needed to be pulled from the water after their boats capsized. The U.S. Coast Guard was still searching for several missing boaters around Mobile Bay Saturday evening.

Richard Mather, 52, of Mobile, was aboard a 39-foot O'Day sailboat along with a crew of seven people, when he saw two boats collide. They had heard about the forecast of thunderstorms, "but we were not prepared for a gale," Mather said, "which is almost like a 30-minute hurricane."

They were not  participating in the race, and were able to pull three people onto the vessel about two miles north of the Dauphin Island Bridge. None of the people appeared injured. "They were exhausted but they were fine," he said. "Their boats sunk so fast that they didn't have time to grab life preservers." 

Jefferson Parish sees damage from severe weather

METAIRIE, La. -- Jefferson Parish saw a lot of weather activity throughout the day, especially in Metairie and Kenner.

On River Road, a children's ballpark lighting rests on fencing. At the Saints facility, a goal post is blown down as well.

WWLTV

Railroad cars blown off Huey P. Long elevated train tracks

Over in Kenner on Loyola, an entire row of power poles were not only pulled out of the grown, but snapped in half, dangling from power lines in front of Ochsner Medical Center.

At Walmart on Jefferson Highway, a shopper reported on Facebook that she was locked in after a skylight came crashing down a few aisles over, and there was fear of a tornado.

The hardest-hit neighborhood was not far from where the train cars fell off of the Huey P. Long Bridge.

Several neighbors were out assessing the damage from trees. One family said its backyard oak split in half and fell. They consider themselves very lucky.

"The AC is busted," said resident Russel Rohr. "The back porch that we have is completely destroyed and everything on it, and I have two holes in my ceiling now."

Down the street another tree was uprooted near Jefferson Elementary, and around the corner, a family that lost two old oak trees in past storms had its third and final oak split, falling and taking down power lines, making the street impassable.

"It's coming down," said resident Dennis Gauthier. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to take that one down too, because it's a situation where you just can't keep taking a chance like this."

http://www.wwltv.com/story/news/local/jefferson/2015/04/27/jefferson-parish-sees-damage-from-severe-weather/26478809/

Update: Severe weather outlook across central Alabama Saturday

Severe weather predictions have been downgraded for much of central Alabama as of 3 p.m., the National Weather Service reports. 

Though severe thunderstorms with damaging winds were expected across the state, new forecasts indicate any severe weather will likely be localized south of Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. 

The Storm Prediction Center in Oklahoma has virtually all of Alabama at a "slight" risk for severe weather Saturday with the exception of extreme west Alabama.

The SPC also has most of the state at a 2 percent risk for tornadoes on Saturday.

http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2015/04/severe_weather_possible_across.html