Tornadoes have wreaked havoc across the US, resulting in at least 37 fatalities. With Missouri experiencing the worst damage, the severe weather also sparked dust storms and wildfires, exacerbating the crisis across multiple states.
Devastation in the US: Over 37 Lives Lost Amid Tornadoes, Wildfires, and Dust Storms
Devastation in the US: Over 37 Lives Lost Amid Tornadoes, Wildfires, and Dust Storms
An extreme weather event across the Midwest and South leaves a significant toll in human life and infrastructure, prompting emergency declarations and widespread destruction.
At least 37 people have tragically died following a series of tornadoes that have swept through large areas of the Midwest and South in the United States. Missouri has been hit the hardest, reporting at least 12 fatalities as the extreme weather began to escalate on Friday. In addition, powerful winds in Texas and Kansas triggered severe dust storms, leading to multiple vehicle collisions that claimed a dozen more lives.
The catastrophic weather has impacted a region inhabited by over 100 million people and has ignited nearly 150 wildfires across Oklahoma. Fatalities have been documented in other states, including Arkansas, Alabama, and Mississippi. As flood warnings were issued for parts of Texas, Louisiana, and surrounding states, more than 320,000 individuals were reported to be without electricity as of Sunday evening, according to PowerOutageUS.
In response to the devastating situation, states of emergency have been declared in Arkansas, Georgia, and Oklahoma. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe stated that the extent of destruction in the state is "staggering," noting that countless homes, schools, and businesses have been either damaged or obliterated.
Local coroner Jim Akers described the aftermath of one tornado in Butler County as a "debris field," with houses rendered "unrecognizable." The severity of the storms in Oklahoma led to 150 wildfires being fanned by winds reaching up to 83 mph (133 km/h), resulting in the destruction of nearly 300 structures, including a farmhouse owned by Governor Kevin Stitt.
In Kansas, the dust storm caused an astonishing 55-car pile-up that resulted in the deaths of at least eight people. Furthermore, a similar occurrence in Texas involved approximately 38 cars colliding, leading to four additional fatalities. Mississippi reported six deaths due to tornado activity, while Alabama experienced three fatalities, including an 82-year-old woman. Arkansas officials have also noted three deaths alongside numerous injuries.
US President Donald Trump announced the deployment of the National Guard in Arkansas to assist with emergency responses, urging citizens to pray for those affected by the disaster on his Truth social platform.
