WASHINGTON – A powerful tornado and severe storms swept across the central United States on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of 33 people and leaving dozens injured. Local media reports indicate widespread destruction, including collapsed rooftops and overturned trucks, while meteorologists warn of the possibility of more tornadoes throughout the weekend.
In Kansas, eight fatalities were reported following a massive accident involving more than 50 vehicles, caused by reduced visibility due to an intense dust storm, according to local police. Meanwhile, the Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed 12 storm-related deaths and shared images of boats piled up at a marina that was destroyed by the severe weather. Trees were uprooted, power lines were down, and numerous buildings sustained heavy damage due to the combination of tornadoes, thunderstorms, and large hail.
"This was the scariest experience I've ever had. It happened so fast, and our ears almost burst," said Alicia Wilson, a Missouri resident who was evacuated from her home, as reported by KSDK television.
Further south in Mississippi, the state governor reported six fatalities and three missing persons as of Saturday night.
In Texas, local authorities confirmed that four people died in vehicle accidents caused by dust storms and wildfires, which significantly reduced road visibility. Meanwhile, in Arkansas, officials reported three deaths and 29 injuries due to the storm.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency and stated that she had spoken with President Donald Trump. "He wanted to let the people of Arkansas know that he loves them and that his administration is here to help with anything we need following last night’s tornado," Sanders wrote on the social media platform X.
More Tornadoes Expected
At least 200,000 homes and businesses across the central U.S. were left without power as of Saturday night, according to the tracking site poweroutage.us. Weather experts predict additional tornadoes in the central Gulf Coast states, including Mississippi and Tennessee.
"Several significant tornadoes, some with long paths and potentially devastating impacts, will continue into tonight," stated the National Weather Service.
Tornadoes are rapidly rotating columns of air that extend from massive cumulonimbus storm clouds to the ground. The central and southern U.S. states, including Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, frequently experience some of the most severe storms due to unique geographical and meteorological conditions. Known as “Tornado Alley,” this region is where extreme temperature air masses collide, forming powerful and unpredictable storms, with most tornado activity occurring between May and June.
In 2024, tornado-related incidents claimed 54 lives in the United States, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).