The spring season has been quite finicky in the U.S. so far. Whereas some regions are enjoying warm weather, others are on the opposite end of the spectrum, experiencing near-winter conditions. However, the top prize for unique weather goes to the southern region of the U.S., which is being besieged by tornadoes amidst a massive storm system that is threatening nearly 9 million people across the area.
1:04am CDT #SPC Day1 Outlook Enhanced Risk: across much of nrn ms and al tn swr... https://t.co/GtEvHQ3UxE pic.twitter.com/FXBo4gBSmP
— NWS SPC (@NWSSPC) March 31, 2016
Aside from heavy rains and flash flooding, which is forecast to fall over the Southeast through Friday, heavy winds have been tearing through the region, with four tornadoes being reported in Oklahoma overnight while two others were reported in Arkansas and Kansas.
The tornadoes that affected Oklahoma Wednesday evening left seven people injured, as winds damaged homes and businesses while lifting trees from their very roots. One family consisting of an adult and three children got to witness this first hand when a tree crashed on top of a pickup truck that they were in.
Tornado In North Tulsa Causes Tree To Fall On Truck Carrying Family Of Four https://t.co/pCkgK3pTfM #News9 pic.twitter.com/SohCVgiEyt — News 9 (@NEWS9) March 31, 2016
Power lines weren't spared from the chaos either. Nearly 5,000 Public Service Company of Oklahoma customers lost power at one point. However, the firm noted that as of Thursday morning, all but 1,000 of those affected have seen their power restored.
In addition, four Tulsa schools have been closed until further notice.
Other locations in the south were hardly better off. The National Weather Service issued a flash-flood watch for northern parts of Louisiana until 7 p.m. Thursday. Forecasters predicted multiple rounds of strong thunderstorms that would produce 2 to 4 inches of rain, and perhaps 6 inches in some parts of the state.
Similarly, Mississippi is also under a flash-flood watch that will expire Thursday evening. In this case, forecasters predicted that thunderstorms would bring rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches.
Once the system moves eastward, residents in Alabama and Georgia should expect to have some trouble head their way. Alabama will soon find itself besieged by tornadoes and winds in excess of 70 mph, as well as quarter-sized hail and heavy rain. Meanwhile, forecasters in Georgia say that more than 4 inches of rain could fall in western parts of the state.
