At least 16 people lost their lives, and several homes were destroyed as a deadly storm system tore through multiple states across the United States, causing widespread devastation. Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma were among the worst-hit regions, with powerful tornadoes, extreme winds, and raging wildfires affecting over 100 million people.
Missouri Suffers the Most Casualties
Missouri faced the brunt of the storm, with tornadoes claiming at least 10 lives overnight. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported multiple injuries and widespread destruction.
Coroner Jim Akers of Butler County described the scene of one fatality where a tornado ripped apart a home:
“It was unrecognizable as a home. Just a debris field. The floor was upside down. We were walking on walls.”
Despite the destruction, emergency responders managed to rescue a woman from the debris.
Arkansas Governor Announces Relief Funds
Arkansas also suffered significant damage, with three people killed in Independence County. At least 29 others were injured across eight counties. In response, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders allocated $250,000 from the Disaster Recovery Fund to support affected communities.
Wildfires in Texas and Oklahoma Worsen Due to Dry Winds
In Texas, three people lost their lives in Amarillo as over 100 wildfires, fueled by dry conditions and strong winds, continued to burn. Oklahoma faced similar devastation, with more than 130 fires prompting mass evacuations.
The intense winds also wreaked havoc on highways. Charles Daniel, a truck driver navigating through western Oklahoma, described the treacherous conditions:
“There’s a lot of sand and dirt in the air. I’m not pushing it over 55 mph. I’m scared it will blow over if I do.”
Blizzard Warnings Issued in Northern Plains
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued blizzard warnings for parts of far western Minnesota and eastern South Dakota starting early Saturday. Snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches (7.6 to 15.2 cm) were expected, with some areas potentially seeing up to a foot (30 cm) of snowfall.
Storm Impacts Stretch Across the Deep South
Beyond the Midwest, the storm also affected states in the Deep South, including Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, and Tennessee. Residents in these areas faced heightened risks of severe storms and tornadoes.
Experts Warn of Unusual Weather Extremes
Bill Bunting of the NWS Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, noted that while extreme weather events are common in March, the scale and intensity of this storm system were extraordinary.
“What’s unique about this one is its large size and intensity. It is producing substantial impacts over a very large area,” he said.
Sources By Agencies
