A powerful storm has hit six states in the southern United States, killing 33 people. The storm lasted for about 24 hours, from Friday evening to Saturday, affecting Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, and Oklahoma.
According to CNN, Missouri reported the highest number of deaths with 12, followed by Kansas with 8, Mississippi with 6, Arkansas and Texas with 3 each, and Oklahoma with 1.
In Missouri, strong winds damaged homes and destroyed many businesses. Kansas saw at least 50 vehicle accidents due to the storm, resulting in 8 deaths. Governor Laura Kelly has declared a state of emergency, warning that the storm’s effects could last until Monday.
In Arkansas, 3 people died, and 32 were injured. A damage survey confirmed that Cave City was hit by an EF3 tornado. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders is in contact with local officials.
Mississippi’s Walthall and Covington counties were among the worst affected, with 6 deaths reported. Emergency officials are working to provide food, clothing, and shelter to displaced residents. Governor Tate Reeves said that 21 counties suffered tornado damage, and several people are still missing.
Texas experienced a weaker storm, so the damage was less severe despite its large area. In Oklahoma, strong winds in Garfield County caused heavy dust, reducing visibility and leading to a fatal car crash.
By Saturday night, over 250,000 people across six states were still without electricity.
