Extreme weather sweeps through the US after storms kill at least 17

Large scale wildfires and straight-line-winds ravaged Oklahoma on Friday, one day before violent tornadoes hit the Mississippi Valley on Saturday, resulting in at least 17 deaths.

The state of Missouri had 11 deaths alone, according to The Associated Press. Three people died in Arkansas while 29 others were injured across eight counties amid hurricane-like weather, as reported by AP.

Three additional people were killed in car crashes on Friday in the Texas panhandle.

The destruction warranted several state of emergencies in Southern states including Georgia, Arkansas and Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Gov. J Kevin Stitt (R) wrote due to “damage to power lines and infrastructure, it is necessary to assist and expedite all efforts of relief” in his Saturday executive order declaring an emergency. Nearly 300 homes in the state were damaged due to the natural disaster.

Wind gusts were expected to blow at up to 80 mph (130 kph) from the Canadian border to Texas, AP said. The extreme weather caused the risk of wildfires in warm areas and blizzard conditions in colder regions.

Texas saw fires while power outages impacted more than 260,000 homes across the Southwest.

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) wrote the severe thunderstorms and tornadoes caused “dangers, hardships, and suffering throughout the state.”

Eastern Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama remain at risk of experiencing more tornadoes on Saturday in addition to western portions of Georgia and the Florida panhandle, according to AP.

Topics

Tornadoes and extreme weather leave trail of destruction in US

At least 20 people have died after tornadoes and severe storms tore through central and southern states.
BBC News - 3h
At least 1 dead as severe storms sweep through the Midwest

At least one person is dead after severe weather hit Butler County, Missouri on Friday night, officials said.
ABC News - 11h
At least 26 dead as monster storm system sweeps across US south with multiple tornadoes

Chaotic weekend sees blizzard warnings in midwest, wildfires in southern plains and dust storms in Texas. Violent tornadoes ripped through parts of the US, wiping out schools and toppling ...
The Guardian - 2h
Flooding, mudslides and a tornado hit wildfire-ravaged California

Southern California, which was scorched by wildfires in January, was hit by more extreme weather. A rare tornado touched down in Pico Rivera, which is in the L.A. area. Meanwhile, in Riverside ...
CBS News - 1d
Fierce Storms Spawning Tornadoes Kill at Least 18

A severe weather system spawned intense, long-duration tornadoes that struck parts of Arkansas, Mississippi and Missouri, leaving some communities in tatters.
The New York Times - 1h
Severe storms slam Missouri; state of emergency declared

Violent storms are wreaking havoc in parts of the Midwest, with the worst hitting Missouri overnight. At least five people were killed. The National Weather Service says at least five tornadoes ...
CBS News - 12h
Three dead as threat of tornadoes moves south and blinding winds fan wildfires

At least three people have died in Missouri after a powerful system of storms swept across the central part of the United States on the way east Saturday morning, with weather warnings issued in ...
NBC News - 1d
At least 20 dead as tornadoes tear through southern US

The unpredictable storms have hit Missouri, Texas and Oklahoma, whipping up fires and overturning trucks.
BBC News - 2h
Tornado threat moves toward South after severe storms kill at least 20

The National Weather Service issued multiple tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings early Saturday.
CBS News - 3h