Extreme Weather Claims 40 Lives, Leaves Destruction Across Midwest and South
Severe weather systems have killed at least 40 people and caused extensive damage from tornadoes, wildfires, and dust storms across multiple states.
Overview
Over the weekend, extreme weather resulted in at least 40 fatalities across seven states, including 12 in Missouri and six in Mississippi. Wildfires in Oklahoma destroyed over 400 homes and resulted in four deaths. Dust storms caused deadly vehicle pile-ups, including an incident in Kansas that claimed eight lives. The National Weather Service noted a significant outbreak of tornadoes and widespread destruction. Survivors shared harrowing experiences, and state officials have declared emergencies while monitoring ongoing fire risks and potential for further severe weather. Recovery efforts are underway, heightened by concerns over public safety due to recent funding cuts to NOAA.
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Analysis
- Severe storms across the U.S. have resulted in at least 40 deaths, with tornado watches in effect for multiple states as the threat persists.
- Preliminary reports indicate 96 tornadoes have occurred across several states, with substantial damage reported in Missouri and Mississippi.
- The storm's devastation coincides with budget cuts affecting federal emergency response and weather forecasting services, raising concerns about public safety and preparedness.
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USA TODAY·4M·FAQ
The states most affected by the severe weather outbreak included Missouri, Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, and Texas. Missouri recorded the highest number of fatalities with at least 12 deaths.
The extreme weather events included violent tornadoes, wildfires, and severe dust storms. These events caused widespread destruction and loss of life across several states.
Wildfires in Oklahoma destroyed nearly 300 homes and burned approximately 266 square miles of land. However, the specific number of homes destroyed by wildfires alone is not detailed in the reports.
The severe weather knocked out power to over 250,000 homes and businesses across several states, including Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Mississippi.
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