Several deadly tornadoes tore through the southeastern United States on May 9, 2024, leaving at least three people dead and causing extensive damage in Tennessee, North Carolina, and other states. The storms came after a series of severe weather events that had already claimed lives and caused destruction in other parts of the country.
In Tennessee, one tornado struck the city of Columbia, reducing homes to rubble and leaving residents in shock. Another person was killed by a falling tree in Claiborne County, north of Knoxville. A third fatality was reported in Gaston County, North Carolina, where a tree fell on a car and trapped two people inside.
The storms also caused widespread power outages across the affected areas. More than 200,000 energy customers were without power as of 6 a.m. ET Thursday in North Carolina alone.
Forecasters warned that the severe weather was not over yet and that more tornadoes, thunderstorms, and flash flooding were expected to hit parts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia on Thursday and Friday.
The storms came after a week of chaotic weather across the United States. Tornadoes had already touched down in Oklahoma and Michigan earlier in the week. In Ohio's Greenville area, residents were left to pick up the pieces after a powerful storm hit on Tuesday evening, destroying homes and leaving families displaced.
The cause of these severe weather events is still under investigation, but scientists believe that a combination of warm, moist air close to the ground and cooler air higher up in the atmosphere, along with strong wind shear, may be contributing factors.
As always, it's important to stay informed about the weather in your area and take necessary precautions to protect yourself and your property. Stay tuned for updates from trusted news sources as more information becomes available.
