US: Storms and tornadoes kill seven people across southern states April 22-23

Event

At least seven deaths and dozens of injuries were reported after severe thunderstorms, flooding, and tornadoes struck the southern states of Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas on Wednesday evening (local time), April 22, and early Thursday, April 23. A tornado struck Polk county (Texas state) on Wednesday evening, killing three people and injuring around 30 others. Another tornado killed two people and critically injured another in Marshall county (Oklahoma state) at around 17:00 on Wednesday. Another person died overnight in a tornado in Woodworth (Louisiana state) and one person was swept away by floodwaters in Mansfield (Louisiana state). There have been reports of hundreds of homes damaged by tornadoes in Texas and over 15,000 people in Louisiana and around 35,000 in Mississippi were without power on Thursday due to the inclement weather.   

Residual transportation disruptions, hazardous driving conditions, and power outages are expected over the coming hours and days.

Advice

Individuals in the affected areas are advised to monitor local weather forecasts, anticipate localized flooding and associated transportation disruptions, and take appropriate precautions.

The safest place to be in a building in the event of a tornado is in the basement or ground floor, or in an interior hallway or stairwell. Avoid doors, windows, and walls. If a tornado is approaching, crouch face down as low as possible to the floor and cover your head with your hands, or a mattress if possible, to protect your head from falling debris.