At least six dead after tornadoes, severe storms sweep South

At least six people were killed Sunday when tornadoes and severe windstorms plowed through Texas, Mississippi and other Southern states.

In Mississippi, the state's emergency management agency said three people in three counties near the Louisiana border — Walthall, Lawrence and Jefferson Davis — had died because of the weather.

The agency did not immediately provide more details.

Portions of central Texas were under tornado warnings Sunday morning as the twisters touched down accompanied by what witnesses called “gigantic” hail. Photos of the damage in Round Mountain, Texas, about an hour west of Austin, showed overturned trees and a trailer destroyed by the storm.

Some customers in Central Texas were without power, as officials worked to determine whether there were more tornadoes than just the two, according to NBC Austin affiliate WXAN.

Extensive damage from severe windstorms was also reported in Monroe, Louisiana, a small city in the northern part of the state, while much of the southern region remained under tornado watch Sunday afternoon. Tornados have not yet been confirmed in the state by the National Weather Service.

In Monroe, city officials said on social media that trees and power lines had fallen throughout the city.

“We have downed power lines in many areas of Monroe. Do not touch or attempt to move them,” Mayor Jamie Mayo said on Twitter.

All flights at Monroe Regional Airport were canceled until further notice, the director Ron Phillips said. The city posted pictures of the airport showing extensive damage and fallen debris.

Governor John Bel Edwards asked Louisiana residents to remain at home as severe weather continues through the state.

“Even though the morning storms have left the state, many other dangerous systems remain across Louisiana. Please stay at home, follow the orders of local officials and tune in to your local weather person for updates,” he wrote on Twitter.

As of Sunday afternoon, no deaths have been reported in either state, and city officials in Monroe said a few people had suffered minor injuries.

In Louisiana, the storms come as the state remains one of the hardest-hit by the coronavirus pandemic, with over 20,000 cases including more than 800 deaths as on Sunday. Texas currently has 12,561 reported cases including 254 deaths.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo urged residents in the western region of his state to take precautions on Sunday as they brace for a storm system that is expected to bring high winds and rains until Tuesday. Cuomo said the storm could cause flooding and power outages in the state hardest hit by the pandemic, with over 180,000 cases including 8,627 deaths.