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A storm system that produced multiple tornadoes has caused four deaths and left a trail of destruction across the South. The fatalities include an 18-year-old woman in Mississippi, a man in North Carolina, and two individuals in Texas. The storms produced 37 preliminary tornadoes in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Georgia, causing structural damage. Some tornadoes had estimated wind speeds of at least 136 mph, reaching EF-3 on the strength scale. Additional tornadoes were rated as EF-2 and EF-1, causing damage and injuries. Over 20 million people in the eastern Gulf Coast to the Carolinas were at risk of extreme weather as the storm moved east. However, the severe weather risk diminished as the storm front moved north and east. Thousands of utility customers were left without power across the South, and several flights were delayed or canceled. The unusual weather patterns, resulting from cold air clashing with rare December warmth, have caused high temperatures in Texas to approach 90 degrees while temperatures in the Southeast remain in the 70s. The storm system is expected to continue to impact the region in the coming days.

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