At least 32 people have died as violent storms and tornadoes swept through parts of the central and southern united states over the weekend. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that the state experienced the highest number of fatalities, with at least 12 confirmed deaths from scattered twisters.
- 32 fatalities from storms in the US
- Missouri reports highest death toll
- Over 185,000 without electricity nationwide
- Arkansas declares state of emergency
- Severe weather causes wildfires and evacuations
- Winds gusting up to 130 km/h expected
The recent storm system has caused extensive damage across multiple states, including Missouri, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Illinois, and Mississippi. In Missouri alone, downed trees and power lines were reported alongside significant damage to both residential and commercial properties. Emergency services continue to respond to incidents as local agencies assess the aftermath.
Key statistics from affected areas include:
- Missouri: 68,798 outages
- Alabama: 51,393 outages
- Georgia: 26,667 outages
- Tennessee: 16,451 outages
- Illinois: 10,074 outages
- Mississippi: 12,248 outages
The situation in Arkansas is also dire; three individuals lost their lives there due to storm-related incidents. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency for her state and allocated $250,000 from disaster recovery funds to assist affected communities. Meanwhile, Oklahoma faced its own challenges with wildfires fueled by high winds that damaged over 200 homes.
This extreme weather event is part of a larger system expected to impact an area home to more than 100 million people. Wind gusts reaching up to 130 kilometers per hour (80 miles per hour) threaten blizzard conditions in northern regions while increasing wildfire risks in southern areas.
The ongoing recovery efforts will be crucial as authorities work to restore power and provide assistance to those impacted by these devastating storms across several states.
