(NewsNation) — One person was killed and at least 10 others were injured in a severe thunderstorm outbreak across Texas on Monday.
The Grayson County Office Of Emergency Management told NewsNation Tuesday that an unidentified 73-year-old resident of Sherwood Shores in Grayson County was killed.
The storms are expected to spread eastward to Louisiana overnight. The National Weather Service forecasts several tornadoes — including potentially strong tornadoes — and “very large hail and damaging winds” beginning Monday afternoon.
The much-needed rain in Texas comes as the southwest part of the state remains under a critical fire weather risk as wildfires have scorched tens of thousands of acres over the past few days. However, the storm could also bring with it strong, possibly “hurricane-force” winds that may aid in the spread of the wildfire, NWS forecasters say.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said during a news conference Monday night in suburban Austin’s Williamson County that the “devastating” storms caused significant damage but the state would stand “shoulder to shoulder” with those affected, and he was thankful that there no reports of fatalities.
“We know there are many people whose lives have been completely disrupted and people who’ve lost their homes,” Abbott said. “At the very same time … it may be a miracle also, because even though there’s been some devastating physical damage, to my knowledge, as of right now, there is no report of loss of life, which is just stunning.”
On Tuesday, areas of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama could see “a regional severe weather outbreak,” the Storm Prediction Center said. That area, including the cities of Baton Rouge and Jackson, Mississippi, could see strong tornadoes Tuesday, forecasters said.
Federal and state authorities in Louisiana reminded thousands of hurricane survivors living in government-provided mobile homes and recreational vehicle trailers to have an evacuation plan because the structures might not withstand the expected weather.
Meanwhile, snow is likely to call amid colder air in Colorado and New Mexico with the potential for localized blizzard conditions. The Pacific Northwest will be unsettled.
An area of high pressure near the South Carolina coast will promote mainly dry, sunny weather across the East on Monday. Temperatures are expected to moderate across the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic following a cool first day of spring.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.