Texas tornado kills at least one person as wildfires still rage in parts of Georgia | US weather
At least one person was killed Extreme weather continues to devastate homes, putting millions of people at risk in the South and Midwest U.S., while wildfires continue to rage in parts of Georgia after a very powerful tornado hit northern Texas on Saturday night.
Officials from Wise County, Texas, said that the storm reached the region around 22:00 in the evening and caused serious damage in many neighborhoods. In addition to the confirmed death, six people were treated by emergency responders or transported for treatment for injuries resulting from the storm.
“We can confirm one death this morning, and let our collective prayers go out to that family during this incredibly difficult time,” Wise County Judge J.D. Clark said in a statement Sunday morning. press briefing.
According to initial information, at least 20 families were displaced and many houses suffered major damage.
National Weather Service reported Severe weather is likely to continue in the coming days and flash floods are likely.
Storms hit the central U.S. last week with more than 30 tornadoes and more than 230 hail reports, according to AccuWeather.
At least 10 people were injured after a massive tornado hit northern Oklahoma on Thursday night. Approximately 40 homes were damaged and minor damage was reported at a nearby air base. Although it was reported that there were injuries, there was no fatal incident. Videos shared As debris was sucked into the rapidly rotating column of air, the incredible power of the tornado was revealed online.
Just days after being devastated by hurricanes, residents on the plains are bracing for even more severe weather.
“People from Oklahoma to Kansas and towns in northwest Missouri should prepare for tornadoes, large hail and storms that could cause damage in excess of 70 mph,” Tyler Roys, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, said in a statement.
“Tornadoes that hit after dark or are covered in rain are especially dangerous because they are nearly impossible to see. Everyone in the area should be prepared to act quickly and have multiple ways to receive alerts and alerts that can wake you up throughout the night.”
In southeastern Georgia, two massive wildfires burned more than 40,000 acres (16,000 hectares) and destroyed 120 homes Sunday morning after days of wreaking havoc due to drought conditions in the region.
The blaze, called the Highway 82 fire, has been burning since April 20 and has destroyed at least 87 homes. Georgia governor Brian Kemp confirmed that the fire started when a foil balloon hit power lines. A fire broke out on Sunday afternoon grown It reached 20,933 acres and only 7% was retained.
“We’re facing two of the most dangerous, largest, most problematic fires in a very small area anywhere in the United States and having to deal with them, so as you can imagine, it’s a lot for us to deal with,” Kemp said. Friday press conference.
The Highway 82 fire caused the most severe home loss the state has ever experienced from a single wildfire, according to the Georgia forestry commission.
The second fire, referred to as the Pineland Road fire, started over the weekend on mostly private forest land near the state line that separates Georgia from Florida to the south. According to the governor, the fire started after someone welded a door and sparks flew and bushes caught fire. The Pineland Road fire burned 31,976 acres and was 10% contained as of Saturday, according to the Georgia forestry commission.
Firefighters are battling more than 150 other wildfires in Georgia and Florida that have sent smoky haze far from the flames and triggered air quality alerts in some cities.
Scientists say the fire threat is exacerbated by a combination of extreme drought, high winds, the climate crisis and dead trees that still cover some forests after being pummeled by Hurricane Helene in 2024.
