A ferocious storm system tearing across the United States has left at least 30 people dead, dozens injured, and entire communities in tatters after a relentless two-day barrage of tornadoes, high winds, and dust storms. From Friday into Saturday, the chaos stretched from the West Coast to the Midwest and South, with the threat far from over as it barrels toward the East Coast through Sunday. Here’s the latest on this unfolding disaster.
A Trail of Destruction
The death toll climbed steadily as reports rolled in. Missouri bore the brunt with 12 confirmed fatalities, including three killed Friday night when an EF-3 tornado packing 140 mph winds obliterated Bakersfield. Homes were flattened, cars hurled up to 100 yards, and trees ripped from the ground, leaving a scene of “heartbreaking” devastation, as Governor Mike Kehoe shared on X.
In Mississippi, six lives were lost and three people remain missing, Governor Tate Reeves posted Saturday night. The state tallied 29 injuries, with Covington County alone reporting 15. Kansas saw eight die in a horrific pileup on I-70, where a dust storm and fierce winds triggered a 50-vehicle crash, according to Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Tod. Arkansas confirmed three deaths in Independence County, with 32 injured across eight counties, tied to an EF-3 tornado in Cave City boasting 165 mph winds—just shy of EF-4 strength. Texas added one fatality from a crash in Bovina amid wildfire-sparked chaos.
Tornadoes by the Dozens
The Storm Prediction Center has tracked 56 preliminary tornado reports across seven states since Friday—over 20 in Mississippi, 13 in Missouri, and more scattered across Arkansas, Alabama, Indiana, and beyond. Survey teams are fanning out to confirm the final count, but the damage is already staggering. In Missouri, a twister near Oregon demolished two homes, while another in Indiana’s Daviess County tore a 13-mile path, smashing farm buildings. Saturday night saw a tornado rip through Calera, Alabama, battering homes and businesses near I-65. Even a 3.0-magnitude earthquake jolted Magee, Mississippi, adding to the chaos.
Extreme Weather’s Wild Ride
This monster system kicked off on the Pacific Coast, dumping feet of snow in the Sierra Nevada and spinning up a rare EF-0 tornado in Pico Rivera, California, with winds up to 80 mph flipping cars. As it roared east, 70-80 mph gusts toppled vehicles from Oklahoma to Missouri. In Texas, 13 wildfires charred over 27,000 acres, fueled by the same winds, while Oklahoma’s Governor Kevin Stitt declared an emergency for 12 counties after 112 injuries and widespread destruction.
Sunday’s Looming Threat
The danger isn’t done. The Storm Prediction Center warns that over 50 million Americans from Florida to the upper Ohio River Valley face severe weather risks through Sunday. A tornado watch grips parts of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina until 10 a.m., with forecasters eyeing damaging winds, hail, and more twisters. “This is a beast of a storm,” one meteorologist noted, urging vigilance as the system marches east.
Communities in Crisis
Power outages plague hundreds of thousands, and recovery looks daunting. Missouri’s Kehoe called it a long road ahead, while Oklahoma’s Stitt mobilized resources to tackle the fallout. Amid the wreckage, stories of resilience emerge—neighbors pulling each other from debris, families sifting through what’s left. But with more storms on the horizon, the U.S. braces for another brutal day. Stay tuned, and stay safe.
