Severe storm threat heading to Southeast

Truckers likely to hit intense crosswinds, torrential rain, a few tornadoes

(Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

Severe storms Wednesday tore through parts of the Deep South and Gulf Coast, spinning up several tornadoes from eastern Texas to Louisiana.

Lake Charles, Louisiana, which was devastated last year by Hurricane Laura, was one of the areas hit in the southwestern section of the state. In Orange, Texas, a tornado crossing Interstate 10 was caught on video.

The low-pressure system and associated frontal boundaries responsible for storms are heading to the Southeast. The threat for severe weather will increase for truckers Thursday in central, northeastern and a few areas of southern Florida, southern Georgia and eastern portions of the Carolinas as the atmosphere remains warm, humid and unstable across the region.

https://vimeo.com/639921937

Thunderstorm wind gusts could exceed 60 mph in some areas, with isolated tornadoes developing. Drivers will also run into periods of torrential rain, which could cause flash flooding and potential road closures. Large hail is unlikely, but penny- or nickel-sized hail could fall from some storms. The severe threat should fade Thursday evening, with only general thunderstorms in far southern Florida lingering overnight.

Major lanes of concern

• Interstate 4 from Tampa to Daytona Beach, Florida.
• Interstate 75 from Tampa to Tifton, Georgia.
• Interstate 95 from Rocky Mount, North Carolina, to Daytona Beach.

Other notable weather

High winds will increase the risk of rollovers Thursday across most of Kansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Alabama, in addition to southwestern Missouri, western Arkansas, and northern, central and eastern Texas. Gusts will range from 40 to 60-plus mph, depending on location.

Click here for more FreightWaves articles by Nick Austin.

You might also like:

Rollover alleys: 5 Interstate stretches that pose greatest risk

Colorado trucking company takes ‘huge hit’ from I-70 closures

Self-described ‘shaman’ arrested in California wildfire arson

Upcoming FreightWaves Events
Compliance

Brokerage Compliance Symposium

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Awards

F3 Awards Dinner

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
FreightTech

F3: Future of Freight Festival

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Compliance Brokerage Compliance Symposium Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
Awards F3 Awards Dinner Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now