Storm System Sweeps Across Southeast, Triggering Tornado Watches and Damaging Winds

Powerful storm system brings severe weather to parts of the South as Northeast sees relief from bitter cold.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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A weekend storm system swept across the Southeast, bringing tornado warnings to Mississippi and Louisiana, and then moving into parts of Georgia and Florida. Meanwhile, the Northeast was finally getting a reprieve from weeks of bitterly cold temperatures. No deaths or serious injuries were reported, but the storm caused power outages and damage across the region.

Why it matters

Severe weather events like this can have significant impacts on communities, causing property damage, power outages, and disrupting daily life. The storm also highlights the ongoing challenges posed by extreme weather patterns driven by climate change.

The details

The fiercest weather was reported near Lake Charles, Louisiana, where high winds from a thunderstorm overturned a horse trailer and a power poles were snapped and toppled near the towns of Jena, Cheneyville and Donaldsonville. The storms led to some power outages across southern states, but nowhere near the massive number of outages caused by previous storms. In the Northeast, Boston was running nearly 7 degrees Fahrenheit below average for February, but this week's forecast called for temperatures climbing into the high 30s and low 40s, closer to seasonal averages.

  • The storm system swept across the Southeast on the weekend of February 16, 2026.
  • Tornado warnings were issued for parts of Mississippi and Louisiana on Sunday, February 16, 2026.
  • The storm system then moved into parts of Georgia and Florida on Sunday, February 16, 2026.

The players

The Associated Press

The news agency that reported on the storm system sweeping across the Southeast.

Jacob Spender

A weather service meteorologist in Sacramento who urged people to take precautions as a powerful winter storm was expected to hit the West Coast.

Karen Bass

The mayor of Los Angeles who ordered emergency crews and city departments to prepare to respond to any problems caused by the storm.

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What they’re saying

“So if they are traveling, packing supplies and being prepared for potential power outages and road closures is really important.”

— Jacob Spender, Weather service meteorologist

The takeaway

This storm system highlights the ongoing challenges posed by extreme weather patterns driven by climate change, and the importance of communities being prepared to respond to severe weather events that can cause significant damage and disruption.