At least 40 people lost their lives, and numerous others were injured as tornadoes and severe storms swept through the central and southern United States over the weekend, according to local authorities. The devastating weather left a trail of destruction, with footage from local news channels showing homes with roofs ripped off, uprooted trees, and overturned trucks due to powerful winds.
In Kansas, eight people died in a massive collision involving more than 50 vehicles, which local police attributed to poor visibility caused by an intense dust storm. Meanwhile, Oklahoma reported four fatalities as wildfires and strong winds tore through the state, according to the local emergency management department.
President Donald Trump addressed the crisis on Sunday via Truth Social, stating, “We are actively monitoring the severe tornadoes and storms that have impacted many States across the South and Midwest.” He confirmed that National Guard troops had been deployed to Arkansas, where officials reported three deaths and 32 injuries caused by the storms.
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe described the devastation as “overwhelming” after touring some of the hardest-hit areas in the state. “Homes and businesses have been destroyed, entire communities are without power, and the road to recovery will not be easy,” he said in a statement. The Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed 12 storm-related deaths and shared images of boats piled atop one another at a marina destroyed by the extreme weather.
In Texas, local authorities reported four fatalities in vehicle accidents linked to dust storms and wildfires that severely reduced road visibility. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) noted that the United States experienced the second-highest number of tornadoes on record last year, with nearly 1,800 incidents, surpassed only by the record set in 2004.
The storms have left communities grappling with widespread damage and power outages, highlighting the urgent need for recovery efforts and support for affected residents.
