Topline
At least nine people have died after 35 tornadoes struck portions of Georgia and Alabama Thursday, according to reports, as the National Weather Service says a survey of damages and fatalities will continue over the next several days.
At least nine people have died after 35 tornadoes hit Alabama and Georgia Thursday.
Key Facts
At least seven people were killed by tornadoes in Autauga County, Alabama, while two others—including a 5-year-old boy—were killed in Georgia, according to CNN, after the National Weather Service reported at least 35 tornadoes hit the two states.
An estimated 40 homes were destroyed or seriously damaged in Autauga County as rescue efforts continue to search for more survivors, the county’s emergency staff told the Associated Press, after at least 12 people have already been taken to the hospital.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp surveyed areas affected by the storm Friday morning via helicopter, noting at least 12 people from Troup County had been sent to a hospital.
Both Kemp and Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) issued states of emergency for their respective states Thursday evening, noting they are “all hands on deck” in helping affected communities.
The National Weather Service said Friday that it is continuing to conduct storm surveys throughout Alabama and Georgia, as future estimates on damages and fatalities will be reported “through the coming days.”
Big Number
14,893. That’s how many people are without power across five Alabama counties affected by tornadoes as of 1:30 p.m. Friday, according to PowerOutage.
Surprising Fact
Between 1989 and 2013, both Alabama and Georgia averaged just two tornadoes through the month of January, according to the National Weather Service. The 35 tornadoes recorded Thursday are the fourth-most recorded for a single tornado event in Alabama, representing more than half of the total tornadoes recorded (67) for all of 2021.
Key Background
Thursday’s tornado events were likely caused by warm, moist air coming from the Gulf of Mexico, affecting atmospheric conditions and resulting in several tornadoes, meteorologists suggested to the Associated Press. A La Nina weather pattern—characterized by colder ocean temperatures and stronger winds—could result in more tornadoes in the South this year. Alabama was hit by an all-time record 62 tornadoes on April 27, 2011, adding to the 45 that had already hit the state 12 days earlier. Following that year’s tornado outbreak, at least 240 people were killed and thousands more were injured.
Further Reading
Rescuers Seek Survivors After Storms Kill 9 Across South (AP)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2023/01/13/9-dead-after-35-tornadoes-strike-georgia-and-alabama/