At least 34 people have lost their lives due to a devastating storm outbreak that has unleashed tornadoes, high winds, and fires across the South, resulting in widespread destruction and statewide emergencies. Among the fatalities, at least 12 individuals have been reported dead in Missouri as the storms wreak havoc across the South and Midwest.
Key Facts
Tornadoes touched down over the weekend in several states, including Alabama, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Illinois, Indiana, and Tennessee. ABC News highlights that there have been over 500 reports of severe weather since Friday evening, encompassing strong winds, hail, and thunderstorms.
The storms have left a trail of widespread devastation across the nation, particularly in Missouri, where numerous homes and buildings were severely damaged by tornadoes. In Oklahoma, wildfires fueled by high winds devastated hundreds of acres, obliterating homes and communities.
Tragically, at least eight fatalities were recorded in Kansas due to a massive crash on Interstate 70 near the Colorado border, which involved over 50 vehicles and resulted in numerous injuries. On Saturday night, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves confirmed the deaths of six individuals due to the severe weather, alongside 29 injuries and three missing persons. The Missouri State Highway Patrol verified 12 storm-related fatalities in Missouri by Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, in Arkansas, the Department of Public Safety reported three deaths and at least 32 injuries attributed to the storm’s impact. Additionally, four fatalities occurred in Texas linked to car accidents caused by blowing dust, as confirmed by the Texas Department of Public Safety. In Oklahoma, Governor Kevin Stitt reported one death resulting from a vehicle driving into smoke created by the storms, alongside wildfires that have consumed more than 170,000 acres and destroyed over 290 homes.
Where Is Severe Weather Expected Sunday?
While the worst of the storm systems has likely subsided, the National Weather Service indicated early Sunday that a “slight risk” of severe thunderstorms remains in parts of the Lower Great Lakes, Central Appalachians, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast. The forecast suggests these thunderstorms should dissipate by Monday as the storm systems shift eastward into the Atlantic Ocean.
Key Background
Numerous states witnessed severe weather between Friday and Saturday, with residents waking to homes in disarray, downed power lines, and widespread power outages. Alongside tornado activity across multiple states, the fierce winds have sparked wildfires in southern and midwestern regions, with Oklahoma reporting over 130 separate fires. Texas faced its largest wildfire, the Windmill Fire, which expanded from 500 to 18,000 acres in less than 24 hours. States including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas have declared states of emergency. More than 300,000 power outages were documented over the weekend, with close to 150,000 residents still lacking power as of Sunday morning in Alabama, Georgia, Missouri, and Tennessee.
Big Number
100 million. This figure represents the estimated number of individuals at risk of severe storms over the weekend, as projected by AccuWeather meteorologists.
