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Jena Today
By the People, for the People
Storm System Sweeps Through Southeast, Causing Tornado Watches and Damage
High winds, power outages, and travel advisories issued as storm moves across the region.
Published on Feb. 16, 2026
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A powerful storm system swept through the Southeast on Saturday and Sunday, bringing tornado warnings to Mississippi and Louisiana, and then impacting parts of Georgia and Florida. The storm caused damage to buildings and infrastructure, including overturned trailers, damaged airport equipment, and downed power lines. While no deaths or serious injuries were reported, the storm led to power outages affecting thousands of customers across the region.
Why it matters
Severe weather events like this can have significant impacts on communities, causing property damage, disrupting power and transportation, and posing risks to public safety. The storm highlights the need for preparedness and resilience in the face of extreme weather, which is becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change.
The details
The storm system brought high winds, thunderstorms, and the potential for tornadoes to parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida. In Louisiana, near Lake Charles, the winds overturned a horse trailer and a Mardi Gras float, damaged an airport jet bridge, and flung a metal awning into power lines. Power poles were also snapped and toppled in several Louisiana towns. While the damage was significant, no deaths or serious injuries were reported.
- The storm system swept across the Southeast late on Saturday and into Sunday.
- Tornado warnings were issued for parts of Mississippi and Louisiana on Saturday.
- The storm system then moved into Georgia and Florida on Sunday, with those areas under tornado watches.
The players
National Weather Service
The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing warnings, which sent employees to survey the damage in Louisiana.
PowerOutage.us
A website that tracks power outages nationwide, reporting on the thousands of customers left without power in the affected states.
What they’re saying
“As we get up into the mountains and the foothills, we're going to be looking at some snowfall. So there will be snowfall all the way down into the foothills as well.”
— Jacob Spender, Meteorologist, National Weather Service in Sacramento (Associated Press)
What’s next
Weather officials have advised travelers to heed any advisories and prepare for winter conditions as the storm system moves into California, with heavy snow expected in the mountains and foothills.
The takeaway
This storm serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. Communities must be ready to respond to power outages, property damage, and potential threats to public safety caused by severe storms.
