Senior meteorologists Jonathan Erdman and Dina Knightly contributed to this text.
A blended bag of harmful climate ripped throughout the South Tuesday, bringing storms and tornadoes from Oklahoma and Texas to Louisiana and Mississippi, plus flooding rain, raging wildfires, a mud storm and even snow.
Energy was knocked out to a whole bunch of 1000’s of individuals, together with within the Dallas-Fort Value space, flight delays stacked up and houses and companies had been broken.
Winds ushered in by the storms brought about schedule adjustments for some Mardi Gras parades within the New Orleans space and fueled wildfires that prompted evacuations and a shelter-in-place order in Texas.
(MORE: Severe Weather Forecast | Storm Maps Tracker)
Listed below are our stay updates because the climate tore by the area into Tuesday evening:
(08:43 PM EST) What’s Subsequent For This Week’s Extreme Climate Menace?
On Wednesday the storms slide east with an enhanced space of storms potential from southern Virginia to South Carolina. Tornadoes, damaging winds, energy outages and hail are all potential. Storms may even be potential within the D.C. space, Baltimore and Pittsburgh.
(08:36 PM EST) Energy Outages Stretch Throughout Six States
Here’s the most recent take a look at the numbers, from PowerOutage.us:
Texas – 212,079 energy outages, most of them prospects of Oncor.
Alabama – 35,095, energy outages.
Louisiana – 28369 outages.
Mississippi – 25,189 outages.
Oklahoma – 12,360 outages.
Tennessee – 10,502 outages.
(08:06 PM EST) Texas City Sheltering In Place
Residents in Sinton, Texas, are being instructed to remain put till at the very least 8 p.m. native time. The rationale? Wildfire smoke, from a blaze that earlier immediately compelled the evacuation of the group’s highschool and elementary faculty.
Sinton is in San Patricio County, northwest of Corpus Christi, and is usually referred to as the “Gateway to the Gulf Coast.”
(07:52 PM EST) NWS Corpus Christi Workplace Evacuated
A wildfire compelled meteorologists out of their workplace on the Nationwide Climate Service in Corpus Christi. The employees was evacuated round 4 p.m. native time and later posted a photo on social media. The submit famous wind gusts round 60 mph and a purple flag warning and wind advisory in impact for the area.
(07:50 PM EST) Images Present Publish-Storm Harm In Texas
College students arriving for courses stroll previous harm from the roof that was sheered off by excessive by winds at Plano West Excessive Faculty Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Plano, Texas.
(AP Photograph/LM Otero)
A employee walks by particles from a broken warehouse after storms moved by Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Lewisville, Texas.
(AP Photograph/LM Otero)
(07:25 PM EST) About These Mardi Gras Parades …
Speaking of wind, it is a good factor New Orleans moved up a few of immediately’s Mardi Gras celebrations. Wind gusts as much as 70 mph had been clocked within the space later.
(07:10 PM EST) Winds Whip In Mississippi
The road of thunderstorms shifting by Mississippi has produced winds gusts to 70 mph close to Jackson and a potential twister brought about harm to a roof close to the group of Jayess. Winds are robust effectively forward of this line and bushes are down close to Birmingham, Alabama.
(06:57 PM EST) New Twister Watch For Alabama, Florida Panhandle
A brand new twister watch has been issued by the Storm Prediction Heart till 1 a.m. native time in Alabama and a part of the Florida Panhandle. The threats embody some intense tornadoes, wind gusts to 80 mph and enormous hail.
(06:44 PM EST) Flash Flooding Hits Jackson, Mississippi
Flooding is one of the most dangerous forms of climate we cowl. With simply over an inch of rainfall in a brief period of time, Jackson, Mississippi, noticed some flash flooding immediately. It doesn’t take plenty of rain to flood, however when it is available in rapidly, even an inch can flood roads.
(06:28 PM EST) Why Tornadoes Are Extra Lethal At Night time
Because the solar units and the specter of extreme climate continues, it is essential to notice that tornadoes through the evening are about twice as prone to kill individuals, versus those who occur in daylight. New analysis additionally reveals that twister deaths at evening are on the rise.
One motive for the elevated lethality after darkish is the dearth of visibility and due to this fact lack of eyewitness storm reviews.
Another excuse is that folks would possibly miss alerts for twister warnings and different essential data as a result of they’re sleeping.
Read more here on how to prepare for in a single day tornadoes.
(06:14 PM EST) Two Colleges Evacuated Due To Texas Wildfire
Crews in Sinton, Texas, are working to battle a number of brush fires, in keeping with native information reviews. One of the blazes forced the evacuation of each Sinton Excessive Faculty and Sinton Elementary, KRIS-TV reported. Sinton is situated in San Patricio County, about 18 miles northwest of Corpus Christi. Officers throughout components of Texas are warning of harmful fireplace climate to excessive winds ushered in by immediately’s storms.
(06:05 PM EST) Oncor Working To Restore Energy In Texas
An replace posted about 20 minutes in the past by Texas utility supplier Oncor says crews are working to revive energy to these impacted by the storms. Greater than 201,000 Oncor prospects are with out electrical energy, with about one quarter of these situated in Dallas County. The replace didn’t give a particular estimate of how lengthy repairs would possibly take.
(05:47 PM EST) Mardi Gras Rolls On In New Orleans
Revelers packed the streets of New Orleans for the height day of Mardi Gras, regardless of the specter of unhealthy climate.
Some parades had been moved earlier and others postponed to work across the extreme climate headed towards the town because the day went on.
“Mardi Gras is all about having these moments. This metropolis is like nowhere else within the nation proper now,” Kendall Calyen, 41, instructed The Related Press, marveling on the 200-year-old custom unfolding earlier than his eyes.
Folks take part within the Society of Saint Anne’s parade at Mardi Gras Tuesday, March 4, 2025 in New Orleans.
(AP Photograph/Gerald Herbert)
(05:28 PM EST) Twister Watch For Elements Of Louisiana And Mississippi
There’s a twister watch till 7 p.m. native time for components of Louisiana and Mississippi. Major threats embody a couple of tornadoes that might be intense. There may be scattered wind gusts to 80 mph and hail to 1 inch.
(05:20 PM EST) Energy Outages Climb By The Hour In Texas, Alabama
Greater than 410,000 houses, companies and different utility prospects are with out energy in Texas alone, in keeping with PowerOutage.us. Since every account can characterize a number of individuals in a single constructing or family, the precise variety of individuals affected is often many occasions bigger.
Mississippi and Louisiana are every reporting about 30,000 outages, whereas Alabama sits at about 21,000 and Tennessee at 8,400.
More than 14,000 outages are additionally being reported in Oklahoma.
(05:08 PM EST) The place’s ‘Twister Alley?’
Tornadoes can happen any time, wherever, however some states are more prone to them than others they usually occur extra typically at sure occasions of the 12 months.
From round 1950 to the Eighties, information confirmed tornadoes most frequently occurred from northern Texas into Oklahoma and Kansas.
However more moderen analysis reveals “Twister Alley” is shifting southward.
(04:57 PM EST) Southwest Kansas Blasted
These are some reviews we simply obtained from the Nationwide Climate Service close to Backyard Metropolis, Kansas:
- A number of bushes had been downed on account of excessive winds, some on houses.
- A pergola collapsed over a house’s again porch.
- Sheet steel was ripped off the Sunflower Electrical Energy Company’s Holcomb Station simply southwest of Backyard Metropolis.
- An 85 mph wind gust was measured at Backyard Metropolis simply after 2:30 p.m. native time.
(04:36 PM EST) Video Reveals Twister Harm In Irving, Texas
Extreme climate in Irving, Texas, this morning ripped by houses, blew out home windows and mangled bushes and energy strains. Watch this video to see what it looked like.
(04:20 PM EST) Dallas-Fort Value Airport Delays Mount
Greater than 375 flights to or from Dallas Fort Value Worldwide Airport are canceled, in keeping with airline tracker FlightAware.com. One other 660 had been delayed. In all, that provides as much as about half of the flights scheduled immediately. Greater than 150 flights are additionally impacted at close by Dallas Love Subject.
(04:01 PM EST) Mud Reaches Dallas-Ft. Value
The most recent observations and satellite tv for pc imagery signifies airborne mud from western Texas and New Mexico has now reached Dallas-Ft. Value metro, about 9 hours after the Metroplex was socked by extreme thunderstorms with 83 mph winds. Fairly a surreal day, certainly!
The plumes of dust are additionally shifting into Waco, and can quickly attain the Austin and San Antonio metro areas, as effectively.
(03:53 PM EST) Keep away from This Street In San Antonio
In addition to evacuations, a wildfire close to San Antonio, Texas, can also be disrupting site visitors. A social media replace from the town suggested drivers to avoid Interstate 37 on the south facet of San Antonio.
(03:41 PM EST) Energy Outages High 400,000 From Texas To Tennessee
More than 400,000 houses, companies and different utility prospects throughout 5 states are with out energy. Listed below are the latest numbers, in keeping with PowerOutage.us:
- Texas – 333,718 outages
- Louisiana – 33,624
- Mississippi – 22,459
- Oklahoma – 14,455
- Tennessee – 10,161
(03:32 PM EST) Tornadoes Confirmed In Dallas-Fort Value Space And Oklahoma
The Nationwide Climate Service has simply confirmed a second Oklahoma EF1 twister touched down early this morning. Whereas solely on the bottom for a couple of minute, this twister closely broken the Union Valley volunteer fireplace station, in addition to snapped quite a few bushes in Pontotoc County close to Stonewall, NWS discovered.
A short EF1 was additionally confirmed by an NWS harm survey within the Dallas-Ft. Value suburb of Irving, with harm unfold over a couple of blocks, the NWS-Fort Value workplace famous.
(03:23 PM EST) Heads Up Tonight For Wind, Perhaps Tornadoes
The wind harm menace will proceed in a single day. That’s just about a certainty throughout the Deep South. The query, although, is what number of tornadoes we get. They might be embedded throughout the line of extreme t-storms or there might be supercells forward of the road. There’s plenty of uncertainty in what number of supercells we see forward of that line of storms.
(03:12 PM EST) Why Carrying A Helmet Throughout A Twister May Save Your Life
We at all times advise you to have a helmet handy when there’s a likelihood of extreme climate. Medical doctors say it may possibly assist forestall head accidents from flying particles or different hazards widespread when a twister strikes.
Even a bicycle helmet or any type of sports activities helmet can present diploma of safety.
Don’t neglect closed-toe sneakers, too, in case it is advisable stroll over particles as soon as the storm passes.
(03:04 PM EST) Damaging Winds Properly Forward Of Thunderstorms
We simply obtained reviews from the Nationwide Climate Service of some bushes downed in northern Alabama between Birmingham and Huntsville. Wind gusts over 40 mph have additionally been clocked within the Florida Panhandle. That’s at the very least 300 miles forward of the road of t-storms, which reveals you the large protection of excessive winds from this expansive March storm, from the Dakotas to Colorado, New Mexico to the northern Gulf Coast and the Tennessee Valley.
(02:59 PM EST) Wildfire Breaks Out Close to San Antonio
Evacuations are below means on account of a wildfire burning close to San Antonio, Texas. An alert from Bexar County emergency officers about 20 minutes in the past included a map displaying a small variety of buildings and a few companies within the evacuation zone.
Earlier, officers warned of important fireplace climate within the space immediately, fueled by excessive winds and low humidity.
(02:41 PM EST) The place To Observe This March Storm
Our live tracker page has all of the maps and knowledge it is advisable comply with this storm and keep secure.
You may examine our latest severe weather forecast here.
(02:33 PM EST) Right here Are The Newest Extreme Climate Reviews
Over 120 reviews of extreme thunderstorms, together with excessive wind gusts and harm, have been obtained by the Nationwide Climate Service as of two:15 p.m. ET.
(02:29 PM EST) Highly effective Wind Gusts In The Dallas-Fort Value Space
The Nationwide Climate Service workplace in Fort Value recorded wind gusts of 83 mph in Little Elm, Texas. Right here’s a fast sampling of the wind gusts that hit different locations within the Dallas-Fort Value metroplex:
- 80 MPH, Sensible County – Decatur
- 78 MPH, Dallas Love Subject
- 74 MPH, Dallas/Ft. Value Airport
- 72 MPH, Waco
(01:56 PM EST) Extreme Standing Examine
First up, the extreme thunderstorm menace is basically over in Texas, together with Houston, in addition to in Little Rock, Arkansas, although we will’t rule out a couple of remoted t-storms this afternoon with hail in north Texas and Oklahoma.
A brand new twister watch has been issued for southeast Louisiana and all however northern Mississippi till 7 p.m. CST. This watch contains New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Jackson, Mississippi. The road of extreme thunderstorms is now stretching from southeast Arkansas into Louisiana. A gust to 70 mph was measured at Ft. Polk, Louisiana simply earlier than 11:30 a.m CT.
Nevertheless, excessive winds not from t-storms proceed in Texas. A roof was blown off and bushes uprooted or snapped close to Wolfforth, simply southwest of Lubbock, earlier than midday, in keeping with the NWS.
(01:44 PM EST) Twister Confirmed in Ada, Oklahoma
The Nationwide Climate Service confirms that an EF1 twister touched down on the west facet of Ada, Oklahoma, this morning simply after 6 a.m. native time. With peak winds round 105 mph, the tornado reduce a path almost 4 miles lengthy. In an earlier replace we confirmed you footage of in depth harm in Ada. In a Fb submit the town authorities reported one injury, and stated 24 households had been displaced.
(01:28 PM EST) If Mars Had A Lake, This Is What It Would Look Like
If the Lone Star State hasn’t had sufficient up to now immediately, a mud storm is now surging east throughout the rolling plains of western Texas. Mud storm warnings have been issued by the Nationwide Climate Service for the town of San Angelo, the place visibility has been diminished as little as 1.5 miles in airborne mud, accompanied by wind gusts over 60 mph.
This mud plume may make it to at the very least components of the Interstate 35 hall this afternoon, together with Dallas-Ft. Value, Waco and Austin.
The video above posted by NWS San Angelo reveals how dusty it’s round Lake Nasworthy, the place buoys bounce up and down on the uneven water.
(01:15 PM EST) Roadway Flooding Reported In Owasso
Owasso Police Department is reporting flooding in low-lying areas. At the least one automobile is reported to have stalled within the floodwaters.
The next areas are below water:
- 96th Avenue North between 161 East Avenue and 177 East Avenue
- 106th Avenue North between 145th East Avenue and 161st East Avenue
- 106th Avenue North at 177th East Avenue
- 116th Avenue North between Memorial Drive and Sheridan Street
(01:02 PM EST) Even Winds Not From T-Storms Are Damaging
Excessive wind warnings from the Nationwide Climate Service blanket components of 15 states from the Excessive Plains to the Appalachians.
These robust winds have already knocked a tree onto a carport in Lubbock, Texas, and blew over a semi on Interstate 70 in Brewster, Kansas. They’ll additionally seemingly set off at the very least some scattered energy outages within the areas lined by the excessive wind warnings.
(12:48 PM EST) Sheriff’s Workplace Broken In McKinney, Texas
Winds downed bushes and broken some automobiles on the Collin County Sheriff’s Workplace in McKinney Texas. In a Fb submit, the workplace shared that deputies had been nonetheless out on patrol, however famous that every one county workplaces can be closed till midday native time, as crews labored to revive energy.
(10:56 AM EST) Extreme Reviews, So Far
Up to now, over 90 reviews of extreme thunderstorms have been obtained by Nationwide Climate Service workplaces since late Monday evening. Nearly all of them have been in a swath from the Dallas-Ft. Value Metroplex into southern Oklahoma.
NWS harm surveys will probably be carried out later to find out the quantity, power and paths of any tornadoes. It’s seemingly each Oklahoma and Texas simply had their first tornadoes of 2025 early this morning.
(10:20 AM EST) Widespread Harm In Ada, Oklahoma
Residents of Ada, Oklahoma are sharing pictures of houses and different buildings torn aside in a single day and early this morning. Metropolis officers are urging individuals to stay at home as a result of there are “downed energy strains, fuel leaks and bushes in every single place.”
(10:05 AM EST) The Distinction Between A Twister Watch And A Twister Warning
Throughout energetic climate, it’s important to know the difference between watches and warnings.
A twister watch means tornadoes are potential within the watch space or different areas close by. A watch means it is best to pay shut consideration to climate alerts and be able to take fast motion. Anybody in manufactured housing or susceptible constructions ought to contemplate heading to stronger shelter.
A twister warning means it’s time to take motion now – rapidly transfer into your shelter or secure area and keep there till the warning is over.
(09:52 AM EST) Warehouse Collapses In Lewisville, Texas
A warehouse for Benjamin Moore Paints is seen torn open after a suspected twister ripped by Lewisville, Texas. A part of the warehouse collapsed and the particles buried semi-trailers and different automobiles close by. The car parking zone is roofed with steel sheeting from the warehouse roof. It’s not but clear if any staff had been contained in the constructing on the time of the collapse, however first responders are on the scene and there are not any fast reviews of accidents.
(09:25 AM EST) It’s Snow, Now. Blizzard Situations Forward
Inside the previous hour or so, rain has rapidly modified over to moist snow from japanese Colorado and much northwestern Kansas to components of South Dakota.
Winds are additionally gusting from 30 to 55 mph on this zone. Situations are deteriorating alongside stretches of Interstate 70, 80 and 90 in these areas. Whiteout situations are potential in these areas, at occasions.
(09:11 AM EST) Harm Reported In Southeast Oklahoma
A house is reported destroyed and several other campers are overturned in Kingston County, Oklahoma. In Nida, Oklahoma, a trailer house is left destroyed, in keeping with Johnston County Emergency Administration.
Marshall County Emergency Administration reviews energy strains down and structural harm within the county. In Durant, a home collapsed, however no accidents are reported, in keeping with Durant Emergency Administration.
(09:36 AM EST) Vital Storm Harm In Irving, Texas
Irving Police Division is warning individuals to keep away from the intersection of North O’Connor Street and West Pioneer Drive as vital storm harm is seen within the space.
In pictures posted on social media by the police division, a wall might be seen fully torn off of an condo constructing and the roof is broken.
(08:59 AM EST) Squall Line Threats As we speak
As we speak is an effective instance why it is best to take extreme t-storm warnings as severely as twister warnings, as climate.com senior meteorologist Chris Dolce wrote.
Wind gusts able to downing bushes and knocking out energy are seemingly throughout the line of extreme t-storms rolling by the South. It doesn’t take a twister to do this. A falling tree might be life threatening. And as we’ve already seen earlier this morning, tornadoes can rapidly kind throughout the line of extreme t-storms. Search shelter with any extreme t-storm or twister warning immediately.
(08:43 AM EST) Flights Cancelled, Energy Outages In Dallas-Fort Value
FlightAware.com reviews more than 200 flights to and from Dallas-Fort Value Worldwide Airport are cancelled as the world sees extreme climate.
In North Texas, more than 200,000 customers are with out energy, in keeping with PowerOutage.com. Some constructions within the space have sustained harm from the storms.
(08:30 AM EST) What’s Taking place Proper Now
A line of extreme t-storms is close to the Oklahoma-Arkansas border southward into northeast Texas. Damaging t-storm winds are the principle threats proper now with this line, with wind gusts robust sufficient to down bushes and knock out energy.
The extreme menace has resulted in each Dallas-Ft. Value and Oklahoma Metropolis, although gusty winds are persisting.
Radar picture, watches and warnings as of 8:25 a.m. EST.
(08:12 AM EST) Mardi Gras Occasions Canceled
As we speak is Fats Tuesday, the standard peak of Louisiana Mardi Gras parades. However climate is getting in the best way.
Parades are officially canceled in Jefferson Parish, which is a part of the larger New Orleans space.
As of Monday night, police in New Orleans stated they had been watching the climate carefully. Some parade occasions had been modified, however they stated cancellations might be referred to as nearer to the occasions. At the least one was canceled.
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