1 killed and almost 2 dozen injured in overnight storms in Mississippi, officials say

At least one person was killed and nearly two dozen injured in storms that swept through Mississippi on Sunday night, and more than 50 million across the Southeast face the threat of more severe weather, including tornadoes, on Monday.

A storm system spawned a reported tornado late Sunday in Mississippi, leaving injuries and structural damage around Bay Springs and Louin in Jasper County, preliminary reports from the National Weather Service indicate.

Now, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is assessing damage from overnight storms, the agency said, noting more than 49,000 customers have no power in the central part of the state. They are among nearly a half million from Texas and Oklahoma to Tennessee who remain in the dark amid record-breaking heat after several rounds of storms last week.

And the severe weather threat persists Monday, with a Level 2 of 5 slight risk of severe weather across parts of the Gulf Coast and the Southeast, including New Orleans and Baton Rouge in Louisiana, along with Jacksonville, Florida; Mobile, Alabama; and Savannah, Georgia. The main threats are damaging wind gusts, large hail and isolated tornadoes.

On Monday morning, a tornado was confirmed near Florida's Santa Rosa Beach, according to the weather service. The service issued a tornado warning until noon for all of southwestern Walton County.

The service urged all residents to "take cover now."

"Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter," wrote the service. "Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely."