Death Toll Rises To 33 In Central U.S Tornadoes
The death toll from tornadoes in the Central U.S has risen to 33, with Mississippi becoming one of the hardest hit states in Saturday night’s incident.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves confirmed six fatalities in the state, one in Covington County, two in Jefferson Davis County, and three in Walthall County.
He also stated that at least 28 others sustained injuries including 15 in Covington County, one in Jefferson Davis County, two in Pike County, and 10 in Walthall County.
Reeves declared a state of emergency Saturday evening and urged prayers for the victims, the missing, and those leading rescue efforts.
In Kansas, eight people died in a massive vehicle pileup involving over 50 vehicles due to a severe dust storm and low visibility.
Missouri was also hit, with 12 storm-related deaths reported by the State Highway Patrol. Images from the state showed boats stacked on top of each other at a damaged marina, as well as uprooted trees, downed power lines, and destroyed homes.
Six fatalities occurred in Wayne County, three in Ozark County, and one each in Butler, Jefferson, and St. Louis counties.
Texas saw four deaths from vehicle accidents linked to dust storms and fires that reduced road visibility.
In neighbouring Arkansas, three people were killed, and 29 others were injured. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency, revealing that she spoke with President Donald Trump, who expressed support for Arkansas residents.
By Saturday evening, more than 200,000 homes and businesses across the central U.S. were without power.
Tornadoes are violent columns of rotating air that form from massive thunderstorm clouds and touch the ground.
In 2024, 54 fatalities were recorded in tornado-related incidents in different states, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Death Toll Rises To 33 In Central U.S Tornadoes is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
