A severe weather phenomenon struck several states in the US on Friday, March 14 and continued into the next day. So far, the number of fatalities has been recorded as 19.
The latest reports from NBC News confirm that at least 440 storms were reported across the Midwest and South US. This includes 24 reported tornadoes in Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi, and Missouri. The severe nature of the tornadoes has caused toppled trees, cars and lorries to be tossed over, and buildings to collapse, causing extreme levels of devastation.
Tornadoes and storms have caused damage in six counties in Mississippi
According to David Roth, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Centre, this is as a result of a low-pressure system driving powerful thunderstorms across the affected areas. So far, six counties in Mississippi have reported damage including Calhoun, Carroll, Grenada, Humphreys, Leflore, and Montgomery. It has been stated that Grenada County was hit the hardest, and a shelter has already been opened for those seeking refuge.
In Oklahoma, evacuations have begun as more than a hundred wildfires have raged across the state. The winds are said to be so strong that they have toppled several tractor-trailers. According to reports, one person has lost their life after inadvertently driving into the smoke.
Several states report deaths on account of tornadoes and severe weather
High winds have also knocked out power to more than 300,000 homes and businesses in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, according to the latest information provided by poweroutage.us.
At least 11 people have died in Missouri, with a further three more fatalities confirmed in Arkansas, and four others killed in Texas as a result of these horrific storms. Across eight counties in Arkansas, a further 29 people are reported to have been injured.
It is estimated that around 108 million people remain at risk of exposure to severe weather, and even now, a tornado has been confirmed as moving through Mississippi’s Pike County at 50mph.
Sadly, it would appear that the storms are far from over.
