At Least 20 Killed as Devastating Tornadoes Strike Southern US
At least 20 people have lost their lives after powerful tornadoes tore through multiple southeastern states in the US, leaving destruction in their wake. Missouri was hit the hardest, with 12 fatalities reported.
In Texas, a severe dust storm led to a tragic car crash, claiming three lives. Fatalities have also been recorded in Oklahoma and Arkansas.
The disaster has left more than 240,000 properties without power across six states, including Texas, Missouri, and Illinois, according to power outage trackers.
The region remains under threat as meteorologists warn of more extreme weather conditions. Tornado watches have been issued for central Mississippi, eastern Louisiana, and western Tennessee.
Flash flood warnings have also been announced for Alabama, Arkansas, and other affected areas, with officials cautioning that these floods could be life-threatening.
A tornado warning, the highest level of alert, was issued in central Mississippi, with weather experts warning of "multiple intense to violent long-track tornadoes" in the area.
Residents have been urged to seek shelter in the sturdiest structures available and remain indoors until the storms pass.
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe described the state as "devastated" by the storms, with reports indicating at least 19 tornadoes had struck 25 counties.
Arkansas has confirmed three fatalities and 29 injuries, prompting Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders to declare a state of emergency.
Georgia's Governor Brian Kemp has also taken precautionary measures, declaring a state of emergency ahead of expected severe weather.
Officials report that the threat of tornadoes will likely extend into Alabama, Florida, and Georgia as the storm system moves eastward.
In Oklahoma, a person died on the road as dangerous conditions persisted. The dust storm responsible for the fatalities in Texas also caused a massive pile-up involving an estimated 38 vehicles.
Authorities in Texas and Oklahoma have also been battling destructive wildfires, which have burned thousands of acres and overturned several large trucks.
One of the largest fires, the 840 Road Fire, has already consumed 27,500 acres and remains completely uncontained. Officials have issued a "red flag" warning, highlighting severe fire risks in the region.
Tornadoes typically form when warm, moist air rises and interacts with cooler air, creating intense thunderstorms.
Winds from different directions cause rotation in the atmosphere, leading to the formation of destructive twisters.
The affected states lie within a region frequently hit by tornadoes, often referred to as "Tornado Alley" due to its ideal conditions for these storms.
According to meteorological data, 54 people were killed in tornado-related incidents in 2024. Texas recorded nine fatalities, Oklahoma eight, Arkansas five, and Missouri one.
The peak tornado season in this region is typically from May to June, but experts warn that these extreme weather events can occur at any time of the year.
