Hail, tornadoes and fires: most of the US suffers from natural disasters

Severe storms are raging in the southeastern United States. Powerful winds and hail cause dangerous damage, even tornadoes are possible. At the same time, severe wildfires are raging in Texas. Writes about it CNN.

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In Escambia County, Alabama, near the Gulf Coast, six people from a mobile home park were taken to hospital with tornado injuries, a spokesman for the Escambia County Sheriff's Office said.

Escambia County Sheriff Heath Jackson said nine mobile homes were damaged, including one that completely overturned when the storm swept through the area around 09:00 am. He added that the National Weather Service is sending a team to assess whether the damage was caused by a tornado or high winds.

The same band of storms swept through Georgia on March 18 and moved into the Carolinas.

Storm risk extends from the Ohio Valley to Florida with the possibility of large diameter hail, wind gusts up to 70 miles (112 km) per hour and tornadoes. Nearly 45 million people are in the path of the storm as it moves east.

The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) noted that the forecast "assumes conditions will be ideal for tornadoes and a strong tornado with a long trail is possible."

Possible "very large hail"

Storms are expected to continue eastward from Columbus, Ohio to Wilmington, North Carolina and south toward Florida. Destructive winds and heavy hail are possible.

“Some thunderstorms can be accompanied by excessive rainfall. Flash floods are possible in Alabama and western Georgia,” the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) said in a statement.

"Across most of the eastern United States through Saturday, March 19, a broad area of ​​0,5 to 1 inch (1,2 to 2,5 cm) precipitation is expected, in places with higher amounts of thunderstorms," ​​the center said.

On March 19, additional severe storms are expected along most of the Atlantic coast.

Wildfires in Texas

While storms rage across the southeastern United States, Texas suffers from a wildfire, writes The New York Times.

At least one person has died, 50 homes have been destroyed and about 500 more evacuated in central Texas after a wildfire burned more than 45 acres (000 ha).

The Eastland Complex fire began on March 17 in the evening. Authorities said Eastland County Sheriff's Deputy Barbara Fenley died helping people escape.

As of the evening of March 18, the fire was 15% contained, the Texas Forest Service said. Firefighters protected structures and built fire containment lines, and aircraft dropped water and fire retardant chemicals in the area.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has declared a statewide disaster, allowing him to better help the 11 counties affected by the fire. He said more districts could be added.

Abbott stressed that the fire remains dangerous due to "constantly changing winds" and dry weather.

“Part of what we are fighting is fire,” he said. “Another part is weather and wind.”

The Forest Service said on March 18 that 10 wildfires are now raging in the state, burning more than 52 acres (000 ha), strong winds and dry grass have contributed to the development of fires.

The Fort Worth office of the National Weather Service said increased fire danger is expected over the weekend in several areas.

Madison Gordon, meteorologist for the National Weather Service, said the Eastland Complex fire was the first wildfire of its magnitude in Texas this year.

“It’s definitely worth looking into,” he said.

The Eastland Complex fire consists of four fires that burned parts of Comanche and Eastland counties. The largest of these, the Kidd fire, has burned at least 18 acres (30 ha) as of March 000.

Communities affected included the city of Gorman, where about 475 homes were evacuated, Carbon, where the highway was closed, and Lake Leon.

Residents shared footage of the fire on social media, including scenes of damaged houses. Smoke from the fire has reached other parts of the state, including Houston, about 300 miles (482 km) away, according to the National Weather Service.

The Houston Department of Health has told residents, especially those with breathing problems, to stay at home.

Smoke from the fire can lead to health problems, including burning eyes and chronic heart and lung disease, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

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