Severe weather: Storms batter the South with more on the way A region of about 3 million stretching from southeastern Arkansas and northeastern Louisiana across Mississippi into Alabama was a high risk. (Source: National Weather Service) By Associated Press | March 17, 2021 at 2:03 PM EDT - Updated March 17 at 11:00 PM BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — A wave of storms pounded the Deep South on Wednesday, leaving a trail of splintered trees and damaged buildings, and forecasters said still stronger ones were on the way with the potential for massive tornadoes, downpours and hail the size of tennis balls. While nearly 16 million people in the Southeast could see powerful storms, the Storm Prediction Center said, a region of about 3 million stretching from southeastern Arkansas and northeastern Louisiana across Mississippi into Alabama was at high risk for big twisters that stay on the ground for miles, straight winds up to 80 mph (129 kph) and destructive hail.