Severe Weather Churns Through the South to Begin 2023

Posted: January 5, 2023 3:01 pm

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Sunshine and Dry Conditions Will Round Out the Week for the South

It was a rough start to the first work week of the year when severe weather roared across the South. At least five people were injured on Monday alone as the storms pummeled the area with heavy rain, winds, and even a few tornadoes.

Stormy Start to the New Year in the South

The storms did not let up as the week continued with Tuesday and Wednesday bringing more dangerous impacts. Over one dozen confirmed tornadoes have been reported over the last three days across several states.

The National Weather Service (NWS) Storm Prediction Center (SPC) is still in the process of confirming the tornado touchdowns and the resulting damage. States reporting tornadoes this week include Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Georgia.

An EF2 rated tornado with winds over 120 mph hit Jonesboro, Louisiana on Monday. Community members have spent the last two days cleaning up debris and assessing the damage.

There was also an EF1 twister confirmed that same day in Jessieville, Arkansas, injuring at least three individuals. Local officials confirmed at least 14 homes were damaged with this storm. In addition, the tornado damaged several commercial properties as well as the Jessieville High School football stadium.

According to the Garland County Sheriff’s Office, two injuries were reported by the school district’s superintendent after trees and power lines crashed into the school when students were inside. Officials have confirmed that all students and staff are now accounted for.

While they have not yet been confirmed as tornadoes, authorities in Arkansas are predicting that the two strong wind reports out of Montrose and Norphlet were indeed twisters. Families in Monrose were trapped for several hours in their homes because of downed power lines and trees. Highway 82 also reportedly suffered structural damage.

Tornadoes were not the only weather impact of this line of storms. Flooding was also an issue on Wednesday, particularly in Arkansas. Over 20 different sections of both state and federal highways were closed at one time as a result of high water. This part of the south-central U.S. has been under the gun for heavy rainfall over the last few days. There was also a stretch of highway that was closed because of power lines brought down by the high winds.

Flooding has been reported in a large swath of this part of the country stretching from eastern Texas into Kentucky.

Sun and Dry Conditions on the Way

There is a glimmer of hope in the short-range forecast. More sunshine and drier conditions are forecast to move into the area to close out the week. For example, Little Rock will enjoy an abundance of sunshine and temperatures in the upper 50s on Thursday. Partly cloudy skies and readings around the 60-degree mark are on tap for Friday.

The bulk of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama will also see more sunshine and a break from the persistent precipitation over the next few days.

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