Tornado in Southern United States Kills 18 People
While the rest of the world celebrated Easter, a devastating tornado hit the southern part of the United States. The disaster is predicted to be headed for the Northern parts as well.
The Eastern Coast of the United States prepared for extreme weather conditions on Monday following a harrowing tornado that had people cramped up in basements, closets, and tubs across the South. The disaster left a total of 18 people dead.
This tornado demonstrates "Barber Poling": the rotational bands twisting around the tornado itself, Campo, Colorado, USA . | Photo: Getty Images
According to reports from a Weather Channel, the North is expected to experience destructive winds, possible tornadoes, and flooding, one day after, at least, 39 reported tornadoes pounded several Southern states.
Much of the South was under flash flood, storm and thunderstorm warnings and watches. The chances of severe thunderstorms could stretch across northern Florida and Northeast through Monday afternoon or evening.
The biggest concern, however, was tornadoes from central Virginia into the east and central parts of the Carolinas as well as southeastern Georgia.
In Mississippi, not fewer than 11 people were killed by the severe weather, while Georgia recorded a total of six deaths. Arkansas had recorded one fatality when a man was killed by a tree that fell on his home.
In northern Louisiana, almost 300 homes and other buildings were destroyed as a result of the tornado. Utility companies reported that there were also several cases of power outages across the region.
Following the storm, safety officials were torn between helping people stay at home due to the novel Coronavirus and wanting them to leave their homes for safety if the weather worsened.
The American Meteorological Society, however, told residents to seek shelter if necessary. In a statement released by the organization, people were advised to maintain the social distancing guidelines while seeking shelter.