Severe storms have torn through the southern and midwestern United States, resulting in the deaths of more than 30 people, including twelve fatalities in Missouri. The powerful storms have left hundreds of thousands of households without electricity as new storms threaten the region.
A Trail of Destruction:
Over the weekend, multiple states experienced violent storms causing extensive damage. Missouri was hit the hardest, with tornadoes destroying buildings, tossing vehicles, and uprooting trees. The strong winds also intensified existing wildfires, contributing to the devastation.
Oklahoma was particularly affected by wildfires, with hundreds of blazes scorching more than 170,000 hectares—an area over four times the size of Vienna. Power outages have also been widespread, with PowerOutage reporting over 230,000 households across five states experiencing blackouts.
Storms Moving Eastward:
The situation remains dangerous as storms continue to move eastward. The U.S. weather service has issued warnings for Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Georgia’s Governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency, urging residents to seek shelter and avoid mobile homes, which are particularly vulnerable to the extreme conditions.
Desperate Attempts to Flee:
In Kansas, attempts to escape the storms led to catastrophic accidents. A series of crashes involving 50 vehicles resulted in at least eight deaths. Additional fatalities have been reported in Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, and Oklahoma, where people struggled to protect themselves from the powerful storms.
Record-Breaking Tornadoes:
Since Friday, more than 40 tornadoes have been recorded across eight states: Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Illinois, Tennessee, Alabama, and Indiana. To put this in perspective, Germany experiences an average of just 45 tornadoes per year.
Tornadoes are formed due to extreme temperature contrasts and often occur during severe thunderstorms. Some of the tornadoes recorded reached wind speeds exceeding 120 km/h (75 mph), according to ABC News.
Living in Tornado Alley:
Many of the affected areas lie within Tornado Alley, a region of the U.S. known for frequent and intense tornadoes. While residents are accustomed to the risks, the devastation remains overwhelming. In Villa Ridge, Missouri, locals began clearing debris and fallen trees immediately after the storm passed.
One resident commented, “Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you don’t—but one thing is certain: it will happen again.”
As the storms continue to push eastward, officials are urging residents to remain vigilant and prepared. Recovery efforts are already underway, but the danger is far from over.