Tornado Outbreak Kills 34 as 40 Twisters Rip Through Nation
Millions of Americans nationwide are on high alert for a severe weather outbreak Violent, lengthy-tornadoes accompanied by destructive winds reaching speeds of 80 mph along with sizable hailstones are anticipated throughout the Midwest and Southern regions as the transcontinental storm system advances eastward.
The identical storm system previously brought fierce winds to the Plains states, resulting in wildfires. severe dust storms resulting in over a dozen fatalities across Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma.
In total, the nationwide storm system has resulted in at least 34 fatalities being reported.
Latest Developments
Over 250,000 people lack electricity across 8 states.
Over 250,000 customers had their electricity cut off across six states early on Sunday, as reported. Poweroutage.us , a platform that monitors electricity suppliers.
Approximately 70,000 customers lost electricity in Georgia, with around 63,000 experiencing outages in Missouri. Additionally, some 42,000 people had their power cut off in Tennessee, roughly 37,000 in North Carolina, approximately 36,000 in Alabama, and about 10,000 in Mississippi.
Further up north, approximately 40,000 people in Michigan and around 15,000 in Ohio remained without electricity.
-ABC News’ Charlotte Slovin
At least six people have died due to tornadoes in Mississippi; the governor reports.
The governor stated that at least six individuals lost their lives in Mississippi due to the series of tornadoes that occurred on Saturday.
Governor Tate Reeves stated that an additional three individuals are unaccounted for and 29 others have been hurt. on a social media update Saturday night.
"Kindly pray for those who have lost their lives, those who remain missing, and those conducting the search efforts, as well as for those recovering and their families," Reeves stated in the message.
Three fatalities, which included one involving a minor, occurred in Tylertown, located close to the border with Louisiana, stated Police Chief Jordan Hill of Tylertown.
The governor issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency, stating this would enable the state to better deploy its resources. According to him, 21 counties experienced storm-related damages, and approximately 16,000 people remain without electricity.
The fatalities in Mississippi have increased the overall death count from the intense storm outbreak over the last 24 hours to 34 individuals as of Saturday night.
Tracking the storm's route through a tiny town in Missouri
What frequently stands out after a tornado hits is the trail left behind; it tends to be remarkably evident and well-defined.
The situation mirrored what happened on Baker Street in the small town of Villa Ridge, Missouri, which lies approximately 40 miles west of St. Louis. As the destructive weather system moved across the bi-state region, the close-knit community with a population of roughly 3,000 faced severe impacts. An alleged tornado tore through more than a dozen houses, completely flattening their upper levels without affecting neighboring properties as it carved a devastating path through this locale.
Walls completely shattered, revealing unforeseen views into private spaces like bedrooms. A television mounted on what was once a wall next to several family photographs, bottles of cologne remaining upright atop an armoire beneath. In another room meant for a child, books were left untouched on the bookshelves despite having neither ceilings nor surrounding walls.
The town did not experience any fatalities.
The neighbors mentioned that, at most, everybody left with minor injuries. After all, they would be aware; it's a tight-knit community. By Saturday, residents had begun using bobcats and chainsaws to clear the large fallen trees and scattered branches from the vicinity.
That's how things go in "Tornado Alley." Some people survive, others do not. Everyone understands that there's always a possibility of it happening once more.
-ABC News' Matt Rivers
Over 40 tornadoes across 8 states—and the severe threat remains ongoing
In the last 24 hours, over 40 confirmed tornadoes have hit eight states in the Midwest and Southern regions, with this hazardous severe weather still posing a risk.
In the last 24 hours, tornadoes have been documented in eight states: Alabama, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Illinois, Indiana, and Tennessee.
In total, over 500 instances of severe weather have been reported since late Friday, stretching from the Midwest down to the South. These events included not just tornadoes, but also powerful wind gusts and sizable hail causing damage.
Tornado warnings are still active across parts of Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Georgia as strong storm systems continue their eastern progression.
A tornado watch labeled as an "especially dangerous situation" is still active across most parts of Alabama and sections of Mississippi and Louisiana until 8 p.m. Central Time. After this period, the risk of severe tornados should diminish significantly.
A tornado watch is currently in place from eastern Tennessee, covering areas like Knoxville, extending into northwestern Georgia, valid until 1 a.m. ET. More watches might be issued later for regions further east, spanning across Alabama and into the Florida Panhandle.
Additionally, there is a risk of further intense thunderstorms that might result in possibly destructive wind gusts and sizable hail. Moreover, any more powerful and slower-moving thunderstorms could lead to heavy rainfall and frequent lightning strikes.
Severe flash flooding poses a significant risk as well. Flash flood alerts are currently active across southern Mississippi extending up into central Tennessee.
-ABC News' Daniel Peck
The Arkansas governor addresses the destruction across the state.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders spoke to journalists on Saturday, stating that the destruction in Arkansas might require weeks or even months to fully recuperate from.
Up until now, three individuals have lost their lives due to the storm, she mentioned.
The governor urged citizens to record the effects on their residences and mentioned that authorities were striving to restore electricity in the impacted regions.
She mentioned that recovery might take weeks or even months. The major hurdles will involve removing rubble and ensuring that essential supplies like food and water reach those who require them.
-Victoria Arancio
Many major, possibly lengthy-path, tornadoes anticipated in the upcoming hours.
The Storm Prediction Center has issued warnings stating that many substantial tornadoes, including some with potential for being lengthy and possibly severe, are anticipated over the next several hours. Areas such as Jackson and Meridian in Mississippi, along with Tuscaloosa and Birmingham in Alabama, continue to face an exceptionally elevated threat level.
A moderate-risk situation for severe weather has been declared across parts of northeast Louisiana and south-central Tennessee, encompassing urban centers like New Orleans in Louisiana and Montgomery in Alabama, extending northward towards Chattanooga in Tennessee. This region faces potential hazards including widespread strong winds capable of causing damage along with multiple tornadoes, with these risks persisting through the night in certain areas.
Powerful and destructive wind gusts might also affect urban areas such as Tallahassee, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; and Nashville, Tennessee, regions which have been designated under a level 3 "enhanced risk."
Powerful wind gusts reaching up to 80 mph might cause extensive harm and lead to numerous electrical disruptions.
The National Weather Service reports damage consistent with 165 mph winds observed in Arkansas.
Tornado damage consistent with winds of 165 mph have been recorded in Cave City, Arkansas, according to the National Weather Service's tornado survey team.
"The peak of the EF3 scale has been reached according to the NWS out of Little Rock," stated their tweet on X.
The NWS stated that further surveys will proceed in the upcoming days.
Severe tornado outbreak persists throughout the Southern region
A powerful line of thunderstorms is moving through portions of the Southern region and has resulted in several verified tornadoes in Mississippi, causing considerable damage within the last few hours.
More than 30 tornadoes have been reported in the past 24 hours across six states: Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Illinois, and Indiana.
A "significantly dangerous storm tornado watch" is still active for many areas in Mississippi and some sections of eastern Louisiana up till 6 p.m. CT. Additionally, another watch is ongoing over various regions of Alabama until 8 p.m. CT, encompassing urban centers like Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Huntsville, and Montgomery.
A band of intense thunderstorms is moving eastward over the area, posing a risk for powerful tornados, destructive winds, and sizable hail. Additionally, any robust, sluggish storms dumping heavy rainfall might lead to critical flash floods in various locations within the next few hours.
The most dangerous tornado threat is now through the evening hours. The strong storms will continue to sweep across eastern Alabama and into Georgia Saturday night.
-ABC News' Daniel Peck
Sanders Huckabee discussed matters with Trump
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders communicated with President Donald Trump via telephone on Saturday afternoon after the tornadoes hit the state on Friday night, as mentioned in her tweet on X.
Huckabee Sanders acted as Trump's press secretary throughout his initial term.
She stated that he asked her to convey to the people of Arkansas that he loves them and both he and his administration are ready to assist with anything needed in the aftermath of last night’s tornadoes.
-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh
The National Weather Service reports multiple verified tornadoes in Mississippi.
Currently, multiple tornadoes are touching down in Mississippi, accompanied by two "especially hazardous conditions" tornado alerts that are now active.
A massive and highly hazardous tornado was spotted over Mendenhall, situated in central Mississippi, progressing northeastward at a speed of 45mph. The National Weather Service also reported a verified big and very dangerous tornado, positioned 7 miles west of Tylertown within southern Central Mississippi, heading northeast at 50mph.
A third verified tornado was spotted near Okolona, in northeastern Mississippi, traveling northeast at 40 mph.
A new significant threat of tornadoes has been announced for many parts of Alabama, valid until 8 PM Central Time. Areas affected include major cities like Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Huntsville, and Montgomery.
This new watch covers areas east of the current watch spanning much of Mississippi and portions of eastern Louisiana until 6 p.m. CT.
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