At least 34 people have died across multiple southeastern US states after a series of violent tornadoes ripped through the region, overturning vehicles and destroying homes.
In Kansas, a dust storm on Friday afternoon caused a massive highway pile-up involving more than 50 vehicles, killing at least eight people. Texas also reported a similar large-scale crash due to reduced visibility.
Authorities have declared a state of emergency in several states, including Arkansas, Georgia, and Oklahoma, where more than 100 wildfires are burning. Severe weather is expected to continue, with flash flooding and additional tornado warnings issued for Sunday.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has classified the ongoing tornado threat as “intense to violent” and “particularly dangerous.” Residents in Alabama were urged to seek shelter on Saturday night as multiple tornado warnings were issued.
As of Sunday morning, over 250,000 properties across the US were without power, according to data from PowerOutage.
In Missouri, at least 12 people lost their lives. Governor Mike Kehoe described the devastation caused by the storms, which left homes leveled and communities in ruins. The state’s emergency management agency reported that 19 tornadoes had touched down across 25 counties.
One of the victims’ homes was completely destroyed. Butler County Coroner Jim Akers described the scene as unrecognizable, stating, “It was just a debris field… The floor was upside down. We were walking on walls.”
Alicia Wilson, who was evacuated from her home in Missouri, described the terrifying ordeal to KSDK, saying, “It was the scariest thing I’ve ever been through. It was so fast, our ears were all about to burst.”
In Mississippi, a woman recounted how her six-year-old daughter was overcome with fear as the storm hit. “All I could hear was my six-year-old screaming that she didn’t want to die. You don’t want to hear that coming out of your baby’s mouth,” Jericho McCoy told reporters.
In Texas, at least four people died in a 38-car pile-up caused by a dust storm, local officials confirmed. Sergeant Cindy Barkley from the state’s public safety department said, “It’s the worst I’ve ever seen. We couldn’t tell they were all together until the dust kind of settled.”
The severe weather has also triggered widespread wildfires. In Oklahoma alone, emergency officials reported more than 130 fires on Friday. By Saturday, hospitals had treated at least 112 fire-related injuries.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt surveyed the damage, revealing that his own ranch had been completely destroyed. “Oklahomans, we are in this together, and we will build back stronger,” he said.
Meteorologists warn that tornadoes typically form when warm, moist air rises and interacts with cooler air, creating powerful rotating storm systems. Several states, including Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Kansas, lie within “Tornado Alley,” an area frequently impacted due to its unique geography.
While peak tornado season in the region is from May to June, experts caution that dangerous storms can occur at any time of the year. Emergency responders remain on high alert as the situation continues to unfold.
