At least 34 people have died after powerful tornadoes swept through several southeastern states in the United States, leaving behind destruction and chaos.
Missouri was hit the hardest, with 12 deaths confirmed. Governor Mike Kehoe described the situation as heartbreaking, saying, “Homes have been destroyed, and lives have been lost.” The Missouri emergency agency reported that at least 19 tornadoes touched down in 25 counties.
A coroner in Butler County, Jim Akers, said one of the victims’ homes was completely torn apart. “It was unrecognizable as a home. Just a debris field,” he told CBS News. “The floor was upside down. We were walking on walls.”
In Mississippi, Governor Tate Reeves confirmed six deaths after multiple tornadoes struck the state. The National Weather Service (NWS) warned of “particularly dangerous” conditions, with strong tornadoes expected to continue in parts of Louisiana, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida.
Arkansas also suffered damage, with three deaths and 29 people injured. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has declared a state of emergency. Georgia’s Governor Brian Kemp also declared an emergency, while Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt confirmed one death in his state.
Tornadoes were not the only cause of fatalities. In Kansas, at least eight people died in a massive crash involving over 55 vehicles due to a dust storm. Texas also saw a major pile-up caused by a dust storm, leaving four dead.
Meanwhile, powerful winds fueled over 100 wildfires in central states, with Oklahoma’s “840 Road Fire” burning 27,500 acres and still not under control.
The NWS has urged residents in affected areas to take shelter. “If you live in these areas, get to the sturdiest structure you have access to and remain in place until the storms pass,” the agency advised.
Alicia Wilson, a Missouri resident who was evacuated, described her terrifying experience: “It was the scariest thing I’ve ever been through. It was so fast, our ears were all about to burst.”
Tornadoes are common in the US, especially in an area known as “Tornado Alley,” where warm and cold air mix to create powerful storms. Experts warn that tornadoes can happen at any time of the year, even though they peak from May to June.
In 2024, 54 people died in tornado-related incidents in the US, with Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri among the most affected states.
