Southern states clean up after fierce hail storms
Southern states clean up after fierce hail and wind storms; thousands remain without power
Golfball sized hail litter the ground by Andrew Stamps and his wife Valorie as they prepare to cover their shattered rear window of her 2009 Toyota Avalon in Pearl, Miss., Monday, March 18, 2013, following a hailstorm that hit communities throughout central Mississippi. The National Weather Service in Jackson says there were a few super cells in central Mississippi and reports of hail up to baseball size in Clinton, golf ball and tennis ball sized in Pearl and Brandon and quarter sized in downtown Jackson, Miss. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency says severe weather has caused damage in at least 10 counties as the storms moved through parts of the state. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) -- Several southern states are cleaning up after powerful winds and massive hail hammered the region.
Mississippi's insurance commissioner says the wind and hail storm that hit the state could result in 35,000 to 50,000 insurance claims. Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney said Tuesday those numbers are based on information provided by insurers and include automotive and property damage claims. A lot of damage is in the Jackson area, where hail as big as baseballs pounded some spots Monday night.
The National Weather Service confirmed one tornado in Georgia and two in Alabama. Authorities also reported that a man was killed in Polk County, Ga., after a tree fell on his vehicle.
About 69,000 Alabama Power customers and 13,500 Georgia Power customers remained without power Tuesday night, a day after storms with the force of hurricane winds toppled trees and utility lines.
