Severe storms tore through parts of the South late Sunday into early Monday, bringing strong winds, large hail, and the potential for tornadoes. This latest round of bad weather came just as many communities were still trying to recover from last week’s devastating tornado outbreak.
Though this storm wasn’t expected to be as intense as the one that hit earlier in March—which unleashed over 100 tornadoes—it still had the potential to cause serious damage. By Sunday evening, conditions became ideal for severe storms as the system moved into parts of East Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
“We’re keeping a close eye on the storms stretching from Nashville all the way down to Shreveport and even as far west as Austin,” said FOX Weather Meteorologist Kendall Smith on Sunday. “These areas are in the danger zone for severe weather tonight.”
Forecasters had issued a Level 2 out of 5 risk warning for over 9.5 million people, covering parts of Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. While Dallas was just outside the threat area, cities like Shreveport, Memphis, and Jackson were bracing for impact.
By Sunday night, tornado and severe thunderstorm watches were in place from Austin to Nashville. Warnings covered large portions of Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas, with strong winds and hail reported in multiple locations. Some areas saw hail as large as golf balls, including Kerrville, Texas, where parked cars were battered by falling ice outside a local church.
Storm chasers tracked the system closely, especially as it moved into Mississippi. Around 7:40 p.m. Sunday, a small, rotating vortex was spotted near Highway 14, heading toward Rolling Fork—the same town devastated by an EF-4 tornado exactly two years ago, which killed 21 people.
“We have the moisture, the instability, and the lift for storms,” said Meteorologist Michael Estime. “The wind shear isn’t as strong this time, which lowers the tornado risk—but it doesn’t eliminate it.”
For many in the storm’s path, the timing was especially tough. Just a week earlier, communities across the South had endured a massive tornado outbreak, leaving behind destruction and heartbreak. The thought of another round of severe weather was enough to put people on edge.
“It’s really hard when you’ve just gone through something traumatic,” said Meteorologist Britta Merwin. “Hearing that first rumble of thunder or getting another weather alert on your phone—it brings it all back.”
By Monday, the storm’s impact was shifting east, threatening nearly six million people along the Gulf Coast. Cities like New Orleans, Biloxi, Mobile, Destin, and Tallahassee were bracing for strong storms as the system continued its path.
