Severe storms, tornadoes, and wildfires in the U.S. have claimed at least 37 lives, significantly affecting multiple states.
US Faces Catastrophic Tornadoes, Wildfires, and Dust Storms Leading to 37 Fatalities
US Faces Catastrophic Tornadoes, Wildfires, and Dust Storms Leading to 37 Fatalities
Extreme weather events ravage the Midwest and South, causing soaring destruction and loss of life.
At least 37 individuals have lost their lives as powerful tornadoes swept through the Midwest and the South of the United States. The worst hit state is Missouri, which recorded at least 12 fatalities, with the extreme weather event commencing on Friday. In addition to the tornadoes, severe winds in Texas and Kansas triggered dust storms leading to significant car collisions, resulting in another 12 deaths.
This catastrophic weather stretched across an area of the country inhabited by over 100 million citizens, fueling almost 150 wildfires in Oklahoma. The death toll also included casualties from other states, including Arkansas, Alabama, and Mississippi, as flooding updates were issued in Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia. As of Sunday evening, approximately 320,000 residents in the affected areas remained without power, according to PowerOutageUS.
Emergency declarations have been announced in Arkansas, Georgia, and Oklahoma following the storms. "The extent of devastation across our state is staggering," stated Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe. Following the storms, he noted, "hundreds of homes, businesses, and schools have either been destroyed or severely impacted."
Local coroner Jim Akers described one tornado's impact in Butler County, stating the residence was "unrecognizable," adding that it resembled "just a debris field" after destruction. In Oklahoma, fierce winds of 83mph (133km/h) contributed to the ignition of nearly 150 wildfires. These fires consumed 170,000 acres of land and utterly destroyed around 300 structures, including a farmhouse belonging to Governor Kevin Stitt.
Meanwhile, Kansas reported at least eight deaths due to a dust storm causing over 55 vehicle collisions, while in Texas another dust storm led to a multi-car crash resulting in four fatalities. Mississippi experienced the loss of six lives as tornadoes ravaged the state. In Alabama, three storm-related deaths have been confirmed, including that of an 82-year-old woman. In Arkansas, officials reported three deaths and injuries sustained by 29 others.
In response to the disaster, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the deployment of the National Guard to assist in Arkansas. He urged citizens to pray for those affected by these devastating storms.
This catastrophic weather stretched across an area of the country inhabited by over 100 million citizens, fueling almost 150 wildfires in Oklahoma. The death toll also included casualties from other states, including Arkansas, Alabama, and Mississippi, as flooding updates were issued in Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia. As of Sunday evening, approximately 320,000 residents in the affected areas remained without power, according to PowerOutageUS.
Emergency declarations have been announced in Arkansas, Georgia, and Oklahoma following the storms. "The extent of devastation across our state is staggering," stated Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe. Following the storms, he noted, "hundreds of homes, businesses, and schools have either been destroyed or severely impacted."
Local coroner Jim Akers described one tornado's impact in Butler County, stating the residence was "unrecognizable," adding that it resembled "just a debris field" after destruction. In Oklahoma, fierce winds of 83mph (133km/h) contributed to the ignition of nearly 150 wildfires. These fires consumed 170,000 acres of land and utterly destroyed around 300 structures, including a farmhouse belonging to Governor Kevin Stitt.
Meanwhile, Kansas reported at least eight deaths due to a dust storm causing over 55 vehicle collisions, while in Texas another dust storm led to a multi-car crash resulting in four fatalities. Mississippi experienced the loss of six lives as tornadoes ravaged the state. In Alabama, three storm-related deaths have been confirmed, including that of an 82-year-old woman. In Arkansas, officials reported three deaths and injuries sustained by 29 others.
In response to the disaster, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the deployment of the National Guard to assist in Arkansas. He urged citizens to pray for those affected by these devastating storms.
