Severe Weather Threatens South with Tornadoes, Flooding

Powerful storm system to bring damaging winds, heavy rain, and potential for tornadoes across Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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A strong storm system is forecast to move across the southern United States this weekend, bringing the threat of severe weather including damaging winds, heavy rain, and possible tornadoes to areas from Texas to Florida. The storm system is expected to impact major cities like Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, and Atlanta, with the highest risks for flash flooding and debris flows in coastal California.

Why it matters

Severe weather events can cause significant damage to property and infrastructure, as well as pose risks to public safety. This storm system has the potential to disrupt travel, power, and daily life across a wide swath of the South, underscoring the importance of preparedness and rapid response from local authorities.

The details

The storm system will move out of the Rockies on Saturday, bringing severe thunderstorms to Texas and Louisiana in the late afternoon and evening hours. Damaging winds, isolated tornadoes, and heavy rainfall are all possible threats. The storms will then track eastward overnight, impacting Alabama, Georgia, and Florida early Sunday morning. While the tornado risk may diminish, the threat of flash flooding will increase as the storm system taps into abundant moisture.

  • Storms will move into Dallas, Texas, late Saturday morning.
  • Storms will move through Houston between 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday.
  • New Orleans, Louisiana, and Jackson, Mississippi, will see storms moving through between midnight and 2 a.m. Sunday.
  • Storms move through Birmingham and Montgomery, Alabama, early Sunday morning from 5 to 8 a.m.
  • Atlanta gets storms and heavy rain mid to late morning Sunday.

The players

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What’s next

Weather forecasters will continue to monitor the storm system and provide updates on the potential for severe weather and flooding impacts across the region.

The takeaway

This severe weather event underscores the importance of staying vigilant and prepared for extreme weather, especially in vulnerable regions. Residents should heed any warnings or advisories from local authorities and take appropriate precautions to protect themselves and their property.