A powerful tornado hit the southern states of the USA: 19 people died, hundreds of houses destroyed

On April 12, Mississippi and Louisiana were hit by a deadly storm system that produced dozens of tornadoes, killing at least 19 people and destroying hundreds of homes and buildings, writes Fox News.

Photo: Shutterstock

The National Weather Service’s Hurricane Prediction Center (SPC) said severe thunderstorms are moving toward the east coast and natural hazards will spread from southeast Georgia through North and South Carolina to Virginia until Monday evening, April 13.

“We've received over 50 reports of tornadoes across the South and Gulf Coast,” Fox News senior meteorologist Janice Dean said. “The Storm Prediction Center said this is the area most likely to be hit by tornadoes—long-lasting, catastrophic tornadoes—and now we're getting reports of multiple deaths.”

In addition to tornadoes, there have been numerous reports of powerful hail, devastating winds and flash floods throughout the region.

One of the tornadoes recorded in southern Mississippi passed over 100 miles (160 kilometers) of surface land.

Nothing left of Mama Dee's Cafe just outside of Bassfield, MS where 3 lost their lives. This #Tornado at one point had Doppler radar estimated winds of 170-205 MPH.
A second strong long-track tornado rolled through just to the north just 45 minutes later! #mswx pic.twitter.com/TU73sC6SjX

- Mike Seidel (@mikeseidel) April 13, 2020

Warnings about possible tornadoes remain valid in the southeast, and they will appear throughout the day in North and South Carolina and the Middle Atlantic. The strongest storms will leave the east coast by Monday evening, April 13th.

“Unfortunately, we will continue to see damage in pockets of North and South Carolina all the way into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast,” Dean said. “So the next few hours will be decisive.”

On the subject: Rescue Tips: How to Survive a Tornado

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said that at least 13 people were killed in the state on the morning of April 11th. According to FOX5, at least 6 deaths were recorded in Georgia. Another 2 bodies were recovered from the rubble of destroyed houses in Arkansas and South Carolina.

Two of the people who died in Lawrence County, Mississippi, were spouses - Lawrence County Sheriff's Deputy Robert Ainsworth and Walthall County Deputy Clerk Paula Weh, the county sheriff's office said in a Facebook post.

“Robert left this world a hero for protecting Mrs. Paula during the tornado,” the sheriff's office wrote. “He was a very valuable employee and we will miss him greatly.”

Powerful tornado rips house from foundation and drops it onto highway in Upson County near Thomaston. Thankfully no one was hurt. Live coverage on channel 2 action news. pic.twitter.com/Y1bPybBn9Z

- Tom Regan (@tomreganWSB) April 13, 2020

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency on the evening of April 12 after several tornadoes hit the state.

“No one would want to celebrate Easter like this,” Reeves said on Twitter. “As we reflect on death and resurrection this Easter Sunday, we believe that together we will endure.”

About a million people after the storms were left without electricity, reports poweroutage.us.

Aerial damage and other shots from #soso, #Mississippi... This was a violent #tornado leaving behind the most striking damage I've seen firsthand since Moore 2013. Check out the swirls in the fallen timber, suggesting intricate subvortex action. Every tree chopped off at about 6 ' pic.twitter.com/0315CyzfSO

- Gage Shaw (@WXgage) April 13, 2020

Before the storms moved to Mississippi, the weather service reported numerous tornadoes and destructive winds over much of northern Louisiana.

Homes in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, were "levelled" while families were kept inside due to COVID-19 quarantine guidelines. Local media reported that officials in the area were forced to find temporary housing for storm victims while trying to protect residents from the virus.

“Due to COVID-19, we're not looking at sheltering the same way we used to,” said Sean Smiley, Ouachita police spokesman. “We are trying to solve this problem and see if we can provide hotel rooms to the displaced people.” The reason is we are trying to continue social distancing.”

On the subject: 'I saw a tornado with my own eyes': how a Russian-speaking immigrant survived a hurricane in Florida

If y'all could. Please say a prayer for Chattanooga and those affected by Last night tornado pic.twitter.com/ma9YN3EsKB

— Unctie??️‍? (@_oddchild) April 13, 2020

Mississippi has 2781 confirmed coronavirus cases and 96 deaths. Louisiana has 20 cases and 595 deaths. The coronavirus has made tornado preparedness more difficult, especially for people who have to seek shelter with others.

The only way to slow the spread of the new coronavirus is to self-isolate. The only way to stay safe in a tornado is to take shelter in a sturdy building, often a public building.

Forecasters and emergency management officials in several states have offered guidance on using shelters as tornado season approaches amid the pandemic. Health officials say the first piece of advice during a tornado amid a pandemic should be to "protect yourself."

Jamie Mayo, Mayor of Monroe, Louisiana, said the storm damaged 200-300 homes in and around the city. Flights were canceled at Monroe's regional airport: siding was torn down from buildings, and trash was scattered on the runways. Airport director Ron Phillips said the storm damaged aircraft in the hangar for up to $ 30 million.

Officials reported damage to dozens of homes in northwest Louisiana.

On April 12, in Morgan County, Alabama, lightning damaged a church roof and spire. Priceville Shoals Creek Baptist Church also received a lightning bolt on the same day. No injuries were reported.

Local media reported that strong winds damaged buildings and broke trees in Walker County, Alabama, north of Birmingham.

Read also on ForumDaily:

To flush the toilet and bachelor life: 8 of the strangest local taxes in the US

'Siberian' dumplings and alcohol: how the Russian store in New Jersey lives during quarantine

Water, sleep and positive: 20 daily habits of people who rarely get sick

Worth a visit: America’s 25 most impressive mountain towns

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.