16 killed as tornadoes, storms sweep across US Southeast, Midwest
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Authorities said Missouri had the highest number of deaths, with at least 11 individuals killed.
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Debris covers the road during a severe storm north of Seymour, Missouri, in Webster County on March 14, 2025 (AP)
Multiple tornadoes have struck wide portions of the US Southeast and Midwest, demolishing houses and killing at least 16 people, officials said.
More than 20 twisters were observed overnight and into Saturday morning as a low-pressure system pushed violent thunderstorms throughout the middle of the country, according to David Roth, a National Weather Service meteorologist.
"Today, there is a high risk for more tornadoes across Alabama and Mississippi. The chance is 30%," he stated, noting that it was "pretty significant".
Authorities said Missouri had the highest number of deaths, with at least 11 individuals killed. The state police said that "tornadoes, thunderstorms, and large hail" downed power lines and trees, causing considerable property damage.
Tornadoes struck Illinois, Mississippi, and Arkansas, killing at least three people, according to officials.
"We have teams out surveying the damage from last night's tornadoes and have first responders on the ground to assist," Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders stated on X. She also announced the release of $250,000 in disaster relief money.
According to NBC, over 400,000 people in the Midwest and South of the United States were without electricity.
Further tornadoes were expected in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee throughout Saturday.
The National Weather Service warned against extreme weather across a portion of the US, affecting over 100 million people, with winds gusting up to 80 mph (130 km/h) from the Canadian border to Texas.
A large storm system crossing the country on Friday caused semi trucks to overturn and fueled wildfires in Texas and Oklahoma, leading to evacuations in some areas. Tornado threats persisted into Saturday across the Mississippi Valley and the deep South.
In Leedey, Oklahoma, a wildfire fueled by dry grass and strong winds prompted emergency officials to urge the evacuation of the 400-person town. Oklahoma State Patrol reported that strong winds knocked over several tractor-trailers.
"This is terrible out here," said truck driver Charles Daniel, describing the dangerous conditions. "There’s a lot of sand and dirt in the air. I’m not pushing it over 55 mph. I’m scared it will blow over if I do."
Forecasters warned that severe storm threats would continue, with a high likelihood of tornadoes and damaging winds in Mississippi and Alabama on Saturday, as well as heavy rain and potential flash flooding on the East Coast Sunday. Experts noted that while such extreme weather in March isn't uncommon, its size and intensity were unusual.
