An onslaught of unusually vicious and damaging weather across the United States this weekend has left at least 37 people dead. Violent tornadoes, blinding dust storms, and fast-moving wildfires wreaked havoc, devastating communities and claiming lives.
The National Weather Service reported that while tornado watches had mostly expired, dangerous winds remained possible in the Carolinas, east Georgia, and northern Florida through Sunday evening. The dynamic storm system that began on Friday was designated as a rare “high risk” event by weather forecasters. Experts noted that while such extreme weather is not uncommon in March, the severity of this storm was particularly alarming.
In central Alabama, at least three people, including an 82-year-old woman, were killed when multiple tornadoes swept across the state. In Troy, Alabama, residents who had sought refuge in a recreation center had to evacuate after the facility sustained damage from overnight storms. Fortunately, no injuries were reported at the center.
Scattered tornadoes in Missouri resulted in the deaths of at least a dozen people, according to authorities. In Arkansas, officials confirmed three fatalities due to the severe weather. Mississippi also suffered tragic losses, with six people dead and more than 200 displaced after tornadoes devastated three counties. In the northern part of the state, flooding inundated roads and left some residents stranded.
Wind-driven wildfires caused extensive damage in Texas and Oklahoma. Officials warned that parts of both states would face an increased risk of fire danger in the coming week. In Oklahoma, more than 130 fires were reported, and nearly 300 homes were damaged or destroyed. The state’s Department of Emergency Management announced that two people died as a result of the wildfires and related weather conditions.
Meanwhile, dust storms triggered by high winds claimed several lives on Friday. In Kansas, eight people died in a massive highway pileup involving at least 50 vehicles. Authorities reported that three people were killed in car crashes during a dust storm in Amarillo, Texas.
The weekend’s extreme weather events highlight the devastating impact of natural disasters, leaving communities across the nation mourning and beginning the arduous process of recovery.
