Cleanup efforts are in full swing following a powerful storm system that unleashed hail, rain, high winds, and tornadoes across the southern United States over the weekend, resulting in at least four fatalities.
As of Monday afternoon, more than 30 tornadoes had been confirmed, with crews assessing approximately 50 reports of tornado-related damage spanning from Texas to South Carolina, according to an emergency response specialist with the National Weather Service.
The storms struck over the busy holiday travel weekend, leading to hazardous road conditions and causing delays or cancellations at major U.S. airports.
The severe weather initially hit the Houston area on Saturday, where six tornadoes were confirmed by Monday, two of which were classified as EF3 with peak winds reaching about 140 mph. One of the tornadoes caused significant damage in Montgomery County, particularly in the Porter and New Caney areas.
Officials reported that around 50 homes in Montgomery County suffered major damage, with 30 homes completely destroyed and a couple of hundred others sustaining minor or cosmetic damage.
Cleanup crews have been working tirelessly to clear debris, with numerous residents already beginning the process of rebuilding their properties.
Tragically, the storms claimed lives in Mississippi, Texas, and North Carolina, with reports of fatalities and extensive property damage in various locations. Thousands of residents were left without power in the aftermath of the severe weather.
Despite being somewhat unusual for this time of year, meteorologists emphasized that severe weather events can occur even in December when warm Gulf of Mexico air collides with cold fronts, creating conditions ripe for severe storms.
While it is rare for a weather system to traverse from Texas to the Atlantic Coast during this season, the recent storms have demonstrated the unpredictability and force of nature.
Elsewhere, high winds in western Pennsylvania overnight caused widespread power outages, affecting tens of thousands of utility customers. The impact of the storms was felt across Pennsylvania, Ohio, and northern West Virginia, with reports of downed trees and utility poles.
Despite the challenges posed by the severe weather, communities are coming together to support one another and begin the process of recovery and rebuilding in the wake of the destructive storms.
