Southern States Brace for Storms After Deadly System Saturday

Newsweek

9 hours ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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Some states in the South are bracing for further rounds of severe storms after a weekend system killed at least one person in Georgia.
According to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), the person died in Banks County when a tree fell on a car, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.
Meanwhile, the National Weather Service (NWS) Storm Prediction Center shows threats of high wind, rain and hail across Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas.
In South Carolina, the local NWS office issued a severe thunderstorm warning for several counties, warning of winds up to 60 miles per hour and risks of downed trees and power lines.
Why It Matters
Recent deadly storms have highlighted not only the vulnerability of communities in the path of severe weather but also the regional scale and frequency of these events. The most recent outbreak in late May from the Heartland to the East Coast killed at least 28 people, left hundreds of thousands without power, and caused an estimated $1 billion in damages in Missouri alone.
Last month's storms reignited debate over staffing shortages at the NWS following federal staffing cuts in recent years, with experts raising concerns about the impact on timely warning capabilities. The Jackson, Kentucky, NWS office, responsible for one of the hardest-hit regions, reported a 25 percent vacancy rate as of March, according to Alabama Public Radio.
Persistent extreme weather stretches emergency response networks and reveals the ongoing challenges of disaster preparedness and recovery, particularly as communities continue to rebuild.
What To Know
A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect along the Atlantic coast as far south as Savannah, Georgia, and as far north as Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Residents across the Carolinas are preparing for the possibility of severe storms that could produce "damaging wind gusts and isolated large hail."
In Georgia, the NWS has issued a Special Weather Statement urging people to stay inside. "People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning," the alert read.
The NWS in Birmingham, Alabama, has also warned about severe weather on Sunday.
"Damaging winds up to 60 mph and large hail up to quarter size are the threats," the alert said. "Remember to have multiple ways to receive alerts and check back for future updates."
What People Are Saying
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp wrote in an X, formerly Twitter, post on Saturday evening: "Join us in praying for the loved ones of a Georgian tragically lost tonight due to the severe storms. As we keep them in our thoughts, we're also praying for the first responders rushing to help those affected by this strong weather system and the safety of those in its path."
Meteorologist Josh Marthers wrote on Facebook on Saturday: "The greatest risk of severe thunderstorms for the Lowcountry of South Carolina will be Saturday evening and overnight, Sunday afternoon and evening, then again Monday. We may not all see rain, in fact some may see nothing at all, but the atmosphere is set for thunderstorms."
He added: "It's the weekend and we tend to naturally disconnect. Keep an eye on the radar and be prepared for possible warnings. Storms will likely be moving at a fairly decent speed, so they could approach quickly and catch you off guard."
What Happens Next?
The extent of the damage is still be determined in several areas, so it's unclear if there are more deaths, injuries, or what the total cost of the damage is.
Heavy rains and storms could last into Monday, according to NWS.