Storm approaches Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama

DALLAS (AP) — A storm system that left extensive damage and some injuries as it passes through Texas is advancing Tuesday to Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, where it will possibly trigger a “regional outbreak of extreme weather,” the U.S. Storm Prediction Center reported.

Severe tornadoes could emerge in affected areas, including the cities of Baton Rouge and Jackson, Mississippi, meteorologists said.

State and federal authorities in Louisiana reminded thousands of hurricane survivors living in government-provided motorhomes and RV trailers to have an evacuation plan in place, as the structures may not withstand the expected weather.

More than 8,000 families live in this type of temporary facility, said Bob Howard, spokesperson for a joint information center for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Louisiana Office of the Governor for Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

In a joint statement, the agencies said floods could cause the greatest damage.

“There could be constant episodes of heavy rainfall over the same areas, increasing the risk of flooding,” the statement said. “Move to higher areas if you hear flood warnings.”

Nearly 1,800 families living in FEMA-provided trailers have not been able to return to their homes, which were damaged or destroyed by Hurricanes Laura and Delta in 2020, according to a press release released last week. Another 1,600 trailers were enabled for families displaced by Hurricane Ida, Howard said, and Louisiana has installed more than 4,400 mobile homes for Ida victims as part of a FEMA-funded testing program.

Anyone living in a state or FEMA temporary residence needs to keep their cell phone on and with a fully charged battery, the volume at its highest level and with extreme weather alerts activated, the agencies said.

“The danger is expected to reach its highest level at night,” they added.