Five dead in tornadoes across the South: 80 million people at risk as deadly storms move east

The death toll from tornadoes ripping across the South over the weekend has risen to six, including three young boys and one 95-year-old man.  

Jace, three, and Dilynn Creel, eight, were were crushed to death in the back of their family’s car in Lufkin, Texas, when a tree toppled, according to the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office.  

A GoFundMe campaign set up for the boys’ heartbroken parents, Brittney and Edward Creel, who were in the front seat but made it out physically unharmed, raised $1,700 toward its $20,000 goal in just three hours on Sunday morning.

In neighboring Louisiana, 13-year-old Sebastian Omar Martinez drowned in a drainage area as flash floods took over Bawcomville near Monroe on Saturday. 

Several hours later, a person died in a submerged vehicle near Interstate 20 in Calhoun.  

A county employee in Alabama died after being struck by a vehicle while he was helping clear away trees toppled by the storm on Sunday afternoon in the Birmingham suburb of Hueytown. His name has not been released.    

Roy Ratliff, 95, was killed late Saturday in killed overnight in Monroe County, Mississippi, as a tornado tore through Hamilton, about 45 miles northeast of Mississippi State University.  

 

Jace and Dilynn (above) were crushed to death in the back of their family's car in Lufkin, Texas, when a tree toppled on Saturday, according to the Angelina County Sheriff's Office

Two young boys killed in tornadoes ripping across the South have been identified as three-year-old Jace (left) and eight-year-old Dilynn Creel (right). The brothers were crushed to death in the back of their family’s car in Lufkin, Texas, when a tree toppled on Saturday, according to the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office

A GoFundMe campaign set up for the boys' heartbroken parents, Brittney and Edward Creel, who were in the front seat but made it out physically unharmed, raised $755 toward its $20,000 goal in just two hours on Sunday morning

A GoFundMe campaign set up for the boys’ heartbroken parents, Brittney and Edward Creel, who were in the front seat but made it out physically unharmed, raised $755 toward its $20,000 goal in just two hours on Sunday morning

Five people have reportedly been killed in tornadoes ripping across the South as meteorologists warn that 80 million people are at risk of powerful storm systems moving toward the East Coast. A car is seen stranded in a ditch in Lufkin, Texas

Five people have reportedly been killed in tornadoes ripping across the South as meteorologists warn that 80 million people are at risk of powerful storm systems moving toward the East Coast. A car is seen stranded in a ditch in Lufkin, Texas

The aerial view above shows hundreds of trees that were flattened in the wake of a twister near Alto, Texas, on Saturday

The aerial view above shows hundreds of trees that were flattened in the wake of a twister near Alto, Texas, on Saturday

At least 13 twisters were reported across Texas, Missouri, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama on Saturday and through Sunday morning, leaving more than 150,000 homes without power. A wrecked home in Franklin, Texas, is seen on Saturday

At least 13 twisters were reported across Texas, Missouri, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama on Saturday and through Sunday morning, leaving more than 150,000 homes without power. A wrecked home in Franklin, Texas, is seen on Saturday

Tornado watches were still in effect Sunday morning in parts of Florida, Alabama and Tennessee where residents have been told to brace for hail, torrential downpours and strong wind gusts. A car is seen under a toppled tree near Alto, Texas

Tornado watches were still in effect Sunday morning in parts of Florida, Alabama and Tennessee where residents have been told to brace for hail, torrential downpours and strong wind gusts. A car is seen under a toppled tree near Alto, Texas

The map above shows parts of eastern Alabama and western Georgia that are under tornado watched through this afternoon

The map above shows parts of eastern Alabama and western Georgia that are under tornado watched through this afternoon

At least 13 twisters were reported across Texas, Missouri, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama on Saturday, leaving more than 150,000 homes without power.

Meteorologists warn that 80 million people are at risk of powerful storm systems moving toward the East Coast on Sunday as tornado watches are in effect in parts of Florida, Alabama and Tennessee where residents have been told to brace for hail and strong wind gusts. 

‘Potential for widespread severe thunderstorms Sunday across much of the Eastern US,’ the National Weather Service tweeted. 

‘Damaging winds are expected to be the primary threat, but a few tornadoes are also possible. Some storms may also produce large hail or torrential downpours resulting in localized flash flooding.’ 

The powerful storm system created an intense lightning show overnight in Tuscaloosa, Alabama (above)

The powerful storm system created an intense lightning show overnight in Tuscaloosa, Alabama (above)

Hail ranging from the size of golf balls to baseballs briefly fell over Helotes, Texas late Saturday morning

Hail ranging from the size of golf balls to baseballs briefly fell over Helotes, Texas late Saturday morning

Angel Funk stands in the backyard of her Franklin, Texas, home after a tornado tore through on Saturday

Angel Funk stands in the backyard of her Franklin, Texas, home after a tornado tore through on Saturday

Two children were killed in their parents car when a tree fell on top of it. It is a different vehicle to this one which ended upside down in a ditch following a tornado in Franklin, Texas

Two children were killed in their parents car when a tree fell on top of it. It is a different vehicle to this one which ended upside down in a ditch following a tornado in Franklin, Texas

A roof is torn off a home following a tornado on Saturday in Franklin, Texas

A roof is torn off a home following a tornado on Saturday in Franklin, Texas

A powerful tornado ripped through the East Texas town causing 'significant damage'

A powerful tornado ripped through the East Texas town causing ‘significant damage’

A vehicle drives through a flooded section of Muskingum Avenue on Saturday in Odessa, Texas

A vehicle drives through a flooded section of Muskingum Avenue on Saturday in Odessa, Texas

More than 30 homes were damaged when severe weather struck Franklin, Texas, on Saturday

More than 30 homes were damaged when severe weather struck Franklin, Texas, on Saturday

The food pantry at Robertson County Care in Franklin, Texas, sustained damage to both the exterior and interior as a result of the severe weather

The food pantry at Robertson County Care in Franklin, Texas, sustained damage to both the exterior and interior as a result of the severe weather

Jerry Redden takes a measurement outside Robertson County Care. Redden and others who were inside the building during the severe weather found safety by gathering in the restrooms of the building

Jerry Redden takes a measurement outside Robertson County Care. Redden and others who were inside the building during the severe weather found safety by gathering in the restrooms of the building

Ominous clouds gather as part of a weather system seen from near Franklin, Texas, in this still image from social media video

Ominous clouds gather as part of a weather system seen from near Franklin, Texas, in this still image from social media video

In Central Texas, Robertson County Sheriff Gerald Yezak said a tornado hit the small city of Franklin, overturning mobile homes and damaging other residences. 

One mobile home was reportedly ripped from its foundations with a person inside. Franklin is located about 125 miles south of Dallas. 

The National Weather Service said preliminary information showed an EF-3 tornado touched down with winds of 140 mph. Crews will continue to survey the damage over the next few days.

Winds of up to 60 mph were reported in Cherokee County, Texas, damaging two homes in Alto but not injuring anyone. Alto is situated about 140 miles north of Houston. 

A dog sits on the steps and wonders what has happened to the garden of a Franklin, Texas, home with broken tree limbs and other debris strewn about the yard

A dog sits on the steps and wonders what has happened to the garden of a Franklin, Texas, home with broken tree limbs and other debris strewn about the yard

Volunteers cover the roof of a Franklin, Texas, home with a tarp after a powerful storm caused damage

Volunteers cover the roof of a Franklin, Texas, home with a tarp after a powerful storm caused damage

A lone person in a field takes a photograph of the approaching storms in Franklin, Texas - a frightening prospect

A lone person in a field takes a photograph of the approaching storms in Franklin, Texas – a frightening prospect

Clouds loom on the horizon as severe weather crosses Texas as it heads eastwards and across the Deep South

Clouds loom on the horizon as severe weather crosses Texas as it heads eastwards and across the Deep South 

A gas station is damaged following severe weather  in Vicksburg, Mississippi

A gas station is damaged following severe weather  in Vicksburg, Mississippi

Cars and debris seen in the aftermath of a tornado in Franklin, Texas

Cars and debris seen in the aftermath of a tornado in Franklin, Texas

People work to clear debris in the aftermath of a tornado in Franklin, Texas, U.S., in this still image from social media video dated April 13

People work to clear debris in the aftermath of a tornado in Franklin, Texas, U.S., in this still image from social media video

People work to clear debris in the aftermath of a tornado in Franklin, Texas, in this still image from social media video

A tree lies on its side following a tornado in Franklin. The storms were part of a large system moving through the southern United States

A tree lies on its side following a tornado in Franklin. The storms were part of a large system moving through the southern United States

A crew member moves signage during a weather delay for practices and qualifying for the Grand Prix of the Americas motorcycle race at the Circuit Of The Americas, in Austin, Texas

A crew member moves signage during a weather delay for practices and qualifying for the Grand Prix of the Americas motorcycle race at the Circuit Of The Americas, in Austin, Texas

Vehicles travel through a flooded section of Highway 61 South following severe weather in Vicksburg, Mississippi

Vehicles travel through a flooded section of Highway 61 South following severe weather in Vicksburg, Mississippi

Debris is strewn in flooded water in the Pemberton Quarters strip mall following severe weather Saturday in Vicksburg. Authorities say a possible tornado has touched down in western Mississippi, causing damage to several businesses and cars

Debris is strewn in flooded water in the Pemberton Quarters strip mall following severe weather Saturday in Vicksburg. Authorities say a possible tornado has touched down in western Mississippi, causing damage to several businesses and cars

Robert and Marion Murphy peek into their damaged shop in the Pemberton Quarters strip mall following severe weather in western Mississippi, causing damage to several businesses

Robert and Marion Murphy peek into their damaged shop in the Pemberton Quarters strip mall following severe weather in western Mississippi, causing damage to several businesses

Two people were hospitalized for injuries not thought to be life-threatening, while others were treated at the scene for minor injuries, Yezak said. Some people had to be extricated from their homes.

Weather service meteorologist Monique Sellers said they had received reports of downed trees, as well as damage to buildings and a transmission tower.

The Robertson County Sheriff’s office directed anyone unable to reach their home to gather at the First Baptist Church on Main Street in Franklin. The entire city is under a boil water notice. 

At least 30 community members have sought shelter at the church, where an emergency shelter with food and water has been set up. 

Emergency radio traffic indicated that search crews were having difficulty reaching damaged structures due to downed trees and power lines in the roadway. 

Franklin is a city of about 1,560 residents located about 30 miles north of College Station.  

Damage to the city of Franklin, Texas is seen after a tornado destroyed several structures on Saturday

Damage to the city of Franklin, Texas is seen after a tornado destroyed several structures on Saturday

Multiple homes were destroyed in the tornado but there are no reports of fatalities as emergency crews searched

Multiple homes were destroyed in the tornado but there are no reports of fatalities as emergency crews searched

At Mississippi State University, officials say there’s some debris from a possible tornado but no injuries or building damage.

The 21,000-student university ordered students into basements late Saturday night as a tornado approached the campus in Starkville.

Residents reported trees down and at least some minor structural damage to residential areas nearby, including some areas where students live off campus.

Mississippi State spokesman Sid Salter says university officials are still looking for damage, especially in outlying areas of campus. 

The debris on the campus may have been dropped by a tornado that had been confirmed on the ground southwest of the campus.

Heavy rains were also producing flash flooding in the area.

Starkville was full of visitors Saturday because Mississippi State held its spring football game and a baseball game.

Severe weather will move east on Sunday, potentially delaying the final day of the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia

Severe weather will move east on Sunday, potentially delaying the final day of the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia 

A line of strong thunderstorms will continue pushing eastward across parts of the South into early Sunday. Damaging winds and some tornadoes are the main threats along this line

A line of strong thunderstorms will continue pushing eastward across parts of the South into early Sunday. Damaging winds and some tornadoes are the main threats along this line

The powerful tornado ripped through outbuilding and mobile homes, destroying several structures

The powerful tornado ripped through outbuilding and mobile homes, destroying several structures

The storm ripped through the community, which is about 30 miles north of College Station, Texas

The storm ripped through the community, which is about 30 miles north of College Station, Texas

Emergency crews reported that downed power lines were making search and rescue efforts difficult

Emergency crews reported that downed power lines were making search and rescue efforts difficult

On Saturday morning, the storm system dropped large hail ranging from the size of golf balls to baseballs on a broad swath of Texas from San Antonio to Dallas. 

Air travel was also significantly impacted at the Dallas and Houston airports. 

More than 660 flights were cancelled at Dallas-Fort Worth International, according to FlightAware.  

Tornado watches were in effect for large parts of East Texas and Louisiana on Saturday afternoon. 

Baseball sized hail is seen in Helotes, Texas

Helotes, Texas

Massive hail was spotted in several parts of Texas, including these two images from Helotes near San Antonio

The storms are part of a large system moving through the southern United States, knocking out power to thousands and causing some flash flooding. The weather service said the system is expected to shift to the Ohio Valley and the Southeast on Sunday.

John Moore, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Jackson, says a twister was reported Saturday in the Vicksburg area of Mississippi and was indicated on radar. No injuries were reported.

News footage from the area showed shattered windows and rooftop debris from businesses, flooding in parking lots and cars with windows smashed out.

Moore told The Associated Press by phone that meteorologists haven’t yet confirmed it was a tornado. 

Severe storms crossing a big swath of the South, including parts of Louisiana and Mississippi, have knocked out power to thousands and caused some flash flooding. Damage also has been reported near Satartia, Mississippi, from the storms.

The broad band is of thunderstorms is expected to hit the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia on Sunday, possibly delaying the final day of the tournament. 

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