The southern and midwestern United States are grappling with a catastrophic wave of storms that have left at least 40 people dead across seven states. The devastation has been described as "staggering" by Missouri's Governor Mike Kehoe, who declared a state of emergency to prepare for the violent weather. The storms, which included numerous tornadoes, have wrought havoc from Missouri to Mississippi, leaving thousands without power and causing widespread destruction.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have expressed their support and prayers for those affected. Meanwhile, Philadelphia International Airport has warned travelers of possible flight delays due to strong winds, adding to the disruption. The severe weather has underscored the urgent need for recovery efforts as communities begin to assess the damage and seek resources for rebuilding.
Tornadoes Wreak Havoc
Among the most destructive elements of the storms were the tornadoes that tore through multiple states. A particularly severe EF3 tornado struck near Kentwood, Louisiana, with wind speeds reaching between 136 to 165 mph. Governor Kay Ivey of Alabama confirmed a third death in her state due to the weekend's severe weather, highlighting the deadly impact of these storms.
The Enhanced Fujita Scale rates EF2 tornadoes with winds of 111 to 135 mph, illustrating the intensity of these events. In total, at least 32 tornadoes were recorded on Friday and 34 more on the following day, contributing significantly to the destruction and loss of life.
Missouri's State of Emergency
In Missouri, Governor Mike Kehoe's declaration of a state of emergency ahead of the storms was a prescient move, as the scale of damage has been profound.
"The scale of devastation across our state is staggering," said Gov. Mike Kehoe.
Hundreds of homes, schools, and businesses have been either destroyed or severely damaged, leaving communities in shock and mourning. One woman in St. Louis County was killed by what police suspect was a storm-related electrocution. Additionally, one person remains missing in Missouri following the severe weather onslaught.
"While we grieve the lives of those lost, we are also focused on action — getting power restored, clearing debris, and ensuring our communities have the resources they need to recover," Gov. Mike Kehoe emphasized.
Impact Across Multiple States
The deadly storms have not been confined to Missouri alone. At least 40 fatalities have been reported across Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Alabama, and Mississippi. In Mississippi, storms swept through the western and southern regions, killing at least six individuals and causing significant damage to homes.
Dakota Henderson recounted his harrowing experience during the storm's approach.
"I could hear it. I told my wife, I said, 'Hang on baby, we fixing to get hit,'" he said.
"The roar got louder, and then all of a sudden that wind busted through that door and all that stuff came down the hall," Henderson added.
The human impact of these storms is profound. Ethan Foss described his emotional state in the aftermath.
"Just shock, numb, don’t know what to think, don’t know what to say,” he expressed.
"It’s been hard all day. Didn’t sleep much," Foss reflected.
Over 380,000 utility customers across the East Coast, South, and Midwest remain without power as efforts continue to restore electricity and provide relief. House Speaker Mike Johnson offered his condolences to those affected.
"Our prayers are with all those who are affected and with the families mourning their tragic losses," he stated.