Deadly storms target Gulf Coast, with more to come

The tornado had an average width of 200 yards with a max width of 400 to 500 yards.

Storms brought heavy rains and strong winds through Maryland and Washington, leaving thousands without power and motorists stranded by flooded roads. The EF1 twister reached speeds of 105 mph and was on the ground for less than 2 miles. Edward Keith Harris was found outside his home in Evergreen late Wednesday, Sheriff Barry Letterman told a news conference Thursday. The Weather Service confirmed a handful of twisters directly and posted pictures of funnel clouds to social media.

To the west, a tornado ravaged an RV park in Convent, killing two people and injuring about 30 others.

St. James Parish Coroner Dr. Randall Poche’ says 59-year-old David Eugene Swann, of Satsuma, Alabama and 51-year-old Scott Ellis of North Carolina died Tuesday.

Authorities did not disclose other relationships. A neighbor, Timothy Williams, said the woman was Turner’s girlfriend and Springfield’s brother.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe met privately with several relatives of the victims.

John Wynder lost two houses in Tappahannock, but he and his family were safe.

A deputy sheriff held reporters at bay as the family members left the meeting.

“We’re really concerned that this could catch people off guard”, he said. Several were injured but there were no reported fatalities. The victims include two men and a boy, 2.

In the wake of the tornadoes, the United Way has set up a relief fund. All of the proceeds will go to those affected by the storms. They don’t have money to bury the child.

Butts, who helps run an American Legion in town, said Thursday that Waverly is a close-knit community that will overcome this tragedy.

The governor said he expected the storm damage to top the $11 million threshold for a federal disaster declaration. Several hundred other homes also were damaged when at least four tornadoes touched down in multiple areas around Baton Rouge, according to news reports from The Advocate at the time.

A Gold’s Gym is damaged in Prairieville, Louisiana, after deadly tornadoes hit the area.

Hardee says the death is being investigated by his office and the sheriff’s office.

Prior to this year, just 15 tornadoes were recorded since 1950 in the state during the month of February, said meteorologist Harold Brooks of the National Severe Storms Laboratory.

York County saw more straight-line wind damage, Evanego said.

Bill Bunting with Storm Prediction Center estimated 20 to 24 tornados hit from Louisiana to Florida on Tuesday.

The Virginia State Police said on Wednesday that three people were killed in a small town called Waverly, where a tornado left windows shattered and roads impassable. The warnings, which covered large parts of both states, were expected to be in effect through Wednesday afternoon. Tornadoes that hit Livingston, LaPlace and one storm that hit Pointcourtville and Convent were all categorized as EF-2, which pack winds of 111 to 135 miles per hour.

“This is more than I’ve seen in a long, long time”, Grice said.

“We are going to recover”, he added.

One of the 30 twisters reported Tuesday smashed into Pensacola, Florida. He said they remained in the vehicle until the storm passed. Locations from near Raleigh and Fayetteville and to the east have been upgraded to an enhanced risk for severe weather.

Meteorologist Mike Rusnak stressed that a tornado had not been confirmed. One damaged dozens of homes and barns and leveled an Amish schoolhouse with 100-mph winds as it carved a path of destruction over a 5-mile stretch of rural eastern Lancaster County.

At least three people were killed. State and local first responders are now in Evergreen searching for a missing adult male whose residence was destroyed in the storm.