Storms Pummel Texas, Louisiana, Whip Up Twisters

Strong thunderstorms rumbled across Texas and Louisiana on Saturday, whipping up powerful wind and several tornadoes. Snow fell in western New England and the northern Plains.

Tornadoes touched down at Lake Jackson, Crystal Beach and Holiday Beach in Texas and at Johnson Bayou in Louisiana, the National Weather Service said. The twisters damaged several homes and downed power lines, but no major damage or serious injuries were reported, authorities said.

Thunderstorm wind gusted to nearly 60 m.p.h. at Houston, the weather service said. Rain forced organizers to cancel three Mardi Gras parades around New Orleans.

At midday, showers and thunderstorms extended over eastern Texas and Louisiana. Rain fell in east-central Florida, and in northern Indiana and southern Michigan.

Rain over the upper Ohio Valley changed to snow from north-central New York state into western New England. Snowshowers were scattered over upper Michigan, northern Minnesota and North Dakota.