WASHINGTON: At least 33 people were killed and dozens more injured on Saturday as powerful tornadoes and violent storms tore through the central United States, causing widespread destruction and chaos.
Local news footage showed roofs ripped from homes and large trucks overturned, as forecasters warned that more tornadoes could strike throughout the weekend.
Eight people lost their lives in Kansas when a “severe dust storm” led to a massive crash involving more than 50 vehicles, local police reported. Authorities cited low visibility as the primary cause of the deadly accident.
Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed 12 storm-related fatalities and reported significant damage. Shocking images from the state showed boats piled on top of each other at a marina destroyed by the storm. Officials noted widespread destruction, including downed trees, power lines, and severely damaged buildings.
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“It was the scariest thing I’ve ever been through; it happened so fast. Our ears were all about to burst,” said Alicia Wilson, a Missouri resident evacuated from her home, speaking to TV station KSDK.
Further south in Mississippi, officials reported six deaths, while three people remained missing as of late Saturday.
In Texas, local authorities confirmed four fatalities in vehicle accidents attributed to dust storms and fires that drastically reduced visibility on the roads.
In neighboring Arkansas, officials said three people had died and 29 were injured in the storm. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency in response to the devastation and confirmed she had spoken with President Donald Trump.
“He said to tell the people of Arkansas he loves them and that he and his administration are here to help with whatever we need following last night’s tornadoes,” Sanders wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Authorities are urging residents to stay alert, as meteorologists predict more severe weather conditions in the coming days. Emergency response teams are actively assessing the damage and assisting affected communities.
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