Millions of people in the Southeast could face severe weather in the next several days. It also appears there is already a need for civil construction to repair certain areas.
This includes damage from tornadoes, heavy rain, and even hail.
One tornado has already been confirmed this week in central Texas, according to the National Weather Service.
Monroe Also Took Damage
In Monroe, Louisiana, the mayor also says their town took heavy damage that is suspected to be caused by tornadoes.
Now, all of Louisiana and Mississippi is under a tornado watch. Storms are anticipated to get even worse.
The threat posed by these storms coincides with the dangerous coronavirus pandemic. State officials say that safe rooms are now stocked with hand sanitizer, and they have advised people seeking shelter in these rooms to continue to wear face masks.
Alabama Declares Emergency
Alabama is under a state of emergency following Governor Kay Ivey’s mandate on Sunday night. While coronavirus measures are still in effect as much as possible, they will be overruled in cases where they would put someone in danger due to the severe weather.
The tornado in Texas touched down around 50 miles west of Austin in Marble Falls. It did appear to dissipate as it migrated northward.
In Monroe, residents were under the highest tier of tornado alert by the National Weather Service. A vicious tornado moved through the town, surpassing 45 mph.
Mayor Takes to Social Media
On Monroe’s official Instagram page, the mayor Jamie Mayo said that various areas of the city were damaged by a suspected tornado.
Shocking photos revealed the extent of the damage, including destroyed power lines and damage to the local airport, producing a need to hire reliable commercial construction. The mayor’s post urged residents to avoid the damaged area and allow cleanup crews to clear the debris.
The governor of Louisiana, John Bel Edwards, has asked residents to stay in their homes.
Nearby in Arkansas, the Southwestern Electric Power Company reported that over 20,000 customers lost electricity during the weather surge.
Severe Weather Could Migrate
The storm system that caused the severe weather in Texas over the weekend was projected to move to the east, causing further disruption in the lives of citizens already dealing with COVID-19.
In San Angelo, Texas, a severe storm system even ripped the roof from a shed and sent it flying.
Across the southeast in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Georgia, long-track tornadoes have been forecast along with particularly dangerous wind conditions.
In some areas, tennis ball-sized hail is predicted to fall.
Floods Predicted
Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee could see flash floods and rainfall as much as 8 inches. Some areas in the mid-South may only see 3 to 6 inches.
There is another wave of severe weather on the horizon. Meteorologists are warning residents to stay alert.
Hail, damaging winds, and threatening tornadoes will still be a dangerous possibility that will require careful civil construction planning in various counties. In the next few days, the system could ravage the East Coast as well.
