A series of violent tornadoes and severe weather conditions have devastated multiple areas across the United States, leading to considerable destruction and loss of life. In total, at least 32 fatalities have been reported, with further severe weather anticipated over the weekend.
In Kansas, a dust storm on a highway in Sherman County resulted in a fatal 50-vehicle pileup, claiming eight lives. Meanwhile, in Mississippi, six individuals were confirmed dead across three counties, and at least three people remain missing according to Governor Tate Reeves, who shared the updates on social media.
Missouri was hit hardest, with at least 12 deaths recorded due to scattered tornadoes. Among these victims was a man whose home was completely obliterated by the storm. Butler County Coroner Jim Akers described the scene as a mere “debris field,” with the floor of a destroyed house flipped entirely.
Dakota Henderson, who aided in rescue efforts in Wayne County, Missouri, recounted finding five bodies amid the ruins of his aunt’s home. Henderson and others managed to save his aunt by pulling her through a window of the sole remaining room. Another man with severe injuries was also rescued.
Arkansas experienced significant damage as well, with three fatalities reported in Independence County and injuries to 29 individuals across eight counties. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders affirmed that teams are actively evaluating the extent of the damages and facilitating assistance.
Governors in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Georgia have all declared states of emergency in response to the widespread destruction, with Georgia anticipating further severe weather soon.
In Texas, three people were killed in vehicle incidents during the dust storm in the Texas Panhandle. The expansive storm system has caused dangerous dust storms, fanned more than 100 wildfires, and created hazardous conditions over a wide region.
The severe weather conditions threaten an area encompassing over 100 million residents. Meteorologists expect powerful winds with speeds up to 80 mph, creating blizzard conditions in northern regions and elevating wildfire risks in southern areas. Blizzard warnings have been set for sections of western Minnesota and eastern South Dakota, where significant snow accumulation is predicted.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma has experienced extensive damage with over 130 reported fires, leading to mandatory evacuations and destruction across nearly 300 homes. The strong winds have also overturned multiple tractor-trailers.
While such extreme weather conditions are not uncommon in March, significant tornadoes continued to emerge, with a high-risk zone spanning from eastern Louisiana and Mississippi to Alabama, western Georgia, and the Florida panhandle. Witnesses in Mississippi saw considerable destruction, including snapped trees and flipped vehicles.
In Rolla, Missouri, Tad Peters and his father witnessed a tornado while refueling their vehicle. Their journey was interrupted as they observed debris swirling and chose to return home to Norman, Oklahoma, where they encountered ongoing wildfires.
Elsewhere in the Southern Plains, wildfires are likely to spread quickly due to dry, warm weather, and powerful winds extending through Texas, Kansas, Missouri, and New Mexico.