Powerful storm rocks Texas and Gulf Coast with tornadoes, killing 1

A powerful storm system has ravaged Texas, leaving at least one person dead, and is threatening other Gulf Coast states this week, as tornadoes, hail and high winds have been forecast.

The National Weather Service tweeted on Tuesday that a tornado watch had been issued for southeastern Louisiana and Mississippi, with twisters, fierce winds and large hail possibly hitting the area.

Baton Rouge, La., and Jackson, Miss., are among the cities put on high alert for “a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms.”

This is the same weather system that has had a devastating impact on parts of Texas and Oklahoma. Massive tornadoes, rainfall and high winds ripped through those states, damaging homes, businesses and a school.

Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 16 counties on Tuesday afternoon. The counties are Bastrop, Cass, Cooke, Grayson, Guadalupe, Houston, Jack, Madison, Marion, Montague, Nacogdoches, Panola, Rusk, Upshur, Williamson and Wise, all of which face “an imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury or loss of life or property.”

Issuing this proclamation allows public officials to exercise emergency powers to save lives and property by waiving certain rules or accelerating certain timetables. It also makes them eligible to receive financial assistance from the federal government.

Initially, Abbott said it was a “miracle” that no one died after tornadoes touched down in the state on Monday. But by Tuesday morning, one person was confirmed dead, according to the Texas public safety department. The Associated Press reported that the victim was a 73-year-old woman in the Sherwood Shores community of Grayson County, near the Oklahoma border.

At least 10 other people were taken to hospitals in Grayson. Meanwhile, authorities reported that nine people were treated at hospitals in Jacksboro, a city in Jack County.

The Austin suburbs of Round Rock and Elgin are also recovering from storm damage. Videos of massive tornadoes have started surfacing online.

One remarkable bit of footage in Elgin shows a truck getting swept up in a twister and overturned, but then jolted back onto its tires, allowing the driver to escape.

The freelance photographer who witnessed the moment tweeted: “I CANNOT believe they drove away like that.”

In Round Rock, a resident captured people frantically running into a Walmart when a tornado appeared to touch down within close proximity of the building.

Also in Elgin, a resident sent video to a local news station of a tornado touching down in the area.

As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 40,000 people in Texas were without power. More than 30,000 in Louisiana and over 18,000 in Mississippi were also without power, according to PowerOutage.us, but the numbers are continuously being updated.

FEMA sent a reminder to remain cautious even after the storm passes because many injuries result from post-storm damage, tweeting: “Texas: Stay safe if you lost power from severe weather.”

“Check on your neighbors. Place generators outside and at least 20 feet away from your house. Keep food safe by keeping freezers & fridges closed. Switch off your electronics to avoid any damage from surges,” the agency said.

The city of Round Rock tweeted: “There are still multiple power outages in #RoundRock due to tornado damage. If you encounter a downed line, DO NOT APPROACH.”