At least 40 lives have been claimed by tornadoes and other severe weather phenomena, including dust storms and wildfires, wreaking havoc across the U.S.
US Suffers Catastrophic Weather: Tornadoes, Wildfires, and Dust Storms Claim 40 Lives
US Suffers Catastrophic Weather: Tornadoes, Wildfires, and Dust Storms Claim 40 Lives
Severe weather events across the Midwest and South result in extensive damage and multiple fatalities.
At least 40 people have lost their lives in a series of devastating tornadoes that swept through the Midwest and Southern states of the U.S. The state of Missouri was hit particularly hard, witnessing at least 12 fatalities since the storms began on Friday. Texas and Kansas also experienced perilous dust storms that caused several vehicle accidents, contributing to a rising death toll.
The extreme weather has unleashed nearly 150 wildfires across Oklahoma, resulting in the destruction of homes and properties. Additional fatalities were reported in states like Arkansas, Alabama, and Mississippi as the storms wreaked havoc across a region that houses over 100 million residents.
Many areas, including parts of Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, Kentucky, and North Carolina, are currently under flood advisories. Furthermore, over 320,000 individuals were reported to be without power by Sunday evening, according to PowerOutageUS.
In a declaration of emergency, Arkansas, Georgia, and Oklahoma have activated emergency response plans. Missouri's Governor Mike Kehoe remarked on the astounding scale of destruction, stating, "Hundreds of homes, schools, and businesses have been either destroyed or severely damaged."
The aftermath of the tornado in Butler County left one residence unrecognizable, as described by local coroner Jim Akers. "Just a debris field," he noted while recounting the disarray.
In Oklahoma, fierce winds topping 83 mph have led to the loss of lives and significant property damage. Fire incidents have claimed at least four lives this weekend. Wildfires wrought havoc, burning through 170,000 acres and demolishing nearly 300 structures, including the farmhouse owned by Governor Kevin Stitt.
Kansas reported eight fatalities linked to a massive vehicle pile-up caused by a dust storm, while Texas experienced a similar incident involving 38 vehicles, leading to four deaths. Mississippi faced deadly twisters that resulted in six fatalities, while Alabama recorded three, including an elderly woman. In Arkansas, three lives were lost, and at least 29 individuals suffered injuries.
President Donald Trump confirmed the deployment of the National Guard in Arkansas to assist with storm recovery efforts, adding, "Please join Melania and me in praying for everyone impacted by these terrible storms!"
The situation remains dire as residents grapple with the aftermath of this extreme weather event.
