The recent severe weather in the U.S. has left 37 dead, with Missouri hardest hit. Severe tornadoes have caused immense destruction, while dust storms in Texas and Kansas led to multiple vehicle collisions. Nearly 150 wildfires have also swept through Oklahoma, further exacerbating the disaster.
Deadly Tornadoes and Wildfires Sweep Across US, Causing Catastrophic Damage
Deadly Tornadoes and Wildfires Sweep Across US, Causing Catastrophic Damage
A devastating wave of extreme weather has resulted in the deaths of at least 37 people as tornadoes, dust storms, and wildfires ravaged parts of the Midwest and South.
At least 37 lives have been claimed by the recent onslaught of tornadoes, dust storms, and wildfires that struck the Midwest and Southern regions of the United States. The most severe impact was felt in Missouri, where the storms, which commenced on Friday, resulted in at least 12 fatalities. Accompanying powerful winds wreaked havoc in Texas and Kansas, leading to dust storms that caused deadly vehicular pile-ups, claiming a further dozen lives.
The extreme weather event affected an area with over 100 million residents, igniting nearly 150 wildfires across Oklahoma. Loss of life has also been noted in Arkansas, Alabama, and Mississippi. Flood advisories have been issued across various states including Texas, Louisiana, and Tennessee, as over 320,000 individuals remained without power as of Sunday evening, according to PowerOutageUS.
Emergency declarations have been put into place in Arkansas, Georgia, and Oklahoma in response to the widespread devastation. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe commented on the "staggering" extent of the destruction, with numerous homes, schools, and businesses reported as either completely ruined or severely impacted.
In Butler County, Missouri, a tornado obliterated a residence, rendering it "unrecognizable," as described by local coroner Jim Akers. Oklahoma faced its own challenges, with winds reaching up to 83 mph (133 km/h), leading to the downfall of several large vehicles and contributing to wildfires that claimed 170,000 acres and nearly 300 structures, including one owned by Governor Kevin Stitt.
In Kansas, a dust storm resulted in a catastrophic accident involving over 55 vehicles, leading to at least eight deaths. Texas recorded a separate dust storm that caused a pileup of approximately 38 cars, resulting in at least four fatalities. Other states reported casualties as well, with Mississippi experiencing six deaths due to tornado activity, and Alabama recording three fatalities, including an elderly woman.
In light of the tragedy, US President Donald Trump announced the deployment of the National Guard to Arkansas to assist with emergency responses. He urged citizens to pray for all those affected by the storms through a post on social media. The scale of this disaster continues to unfold as communities reel from the repercussions of these natural calamities.
