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https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/severe-weather-south-midwest-rcna196563
Live updates: Storms kill 34 across U.S. and knock out power for hundreds of thousands
What to know
- At least 34 people have died across Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Mississippi as powerful storm systems sweep through the Midwest and South.
- The storms have left hundreds of thousands of customers without power, injured 29 people in Arkansas and caused fatalities linked to wildfires in Oklahoma.
- Nearly 9 million people are under tornado watches, including in Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee. Another 82.8 million are covered by wind advisories, particularly in the middle of the country.
- More than 20 severe weather reports were logged by this afternoon. The severe weather threat is expected to persist into the evening, with storms moving eastward and reaching the East Coast by tomorrow.
Why confirming tornadoes takes time
While dozens of tornadoes have been reported over the weekend as this deadly storm moves over Alabama and Tennessee today, few have been officially confirmed.
The tornado that struck Cave City, Arkansas, was verified by National Weather Service spotters on the ground, who estimated it reached EF3 strength last night, indicating it produced sustained winds between 136 to 165 mph.
The National Weather Service office for Little Rock, Arkansas, said it has fielded inquiries asking why it's taking so long to verify other tornadoes as some wonder if their communities have been forgotten.
The answer: "Storm surveys take time."
The weather service deploys tornado observers on the ground, often on a next-day basis, as their safety amid atmospheric upheaval and its aftermath is an important consideration.
The service trains them via "storm spotter training" courses before sending them to communities where tornadoes have been reported. An introductory course takes two hours.
5 additional storm-related deaths reported in Mississippi
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves today reported five additional weather-related deaths, bringing the total number of weather-blamed fatalities in the state to six and the storm total across six states to 34.
The Mississippi fatalities included two in Jefferson Davis County and three in Walthall County, the governor said in a statement on Saturday night. Another weather-related death in the state was reported in Covington County.
He also said three more people, including two from Covington County and one from Walthall County, are believed missing. Twenty-nine people sustained weather-related injuries across the state, the governor said.
Reeves declared a state of emergency for all areas of the state affected by the tornado-producing storm front as is moved east today. The move will allow state government agencies to "discharge their emergency responsibilities," according to the governor's proclamation.
He said storm damage was reported in 21 counties since Friday.
"Please pray for those who lost their life, those who are missing and those leading the search efforts, those who are healing, and their families," Reeves said.
National Weather Service confirms 3 tornadoes in St. Louis area
The National Weather Service office that covers St. Louis and surrounding communities said today it has confirmed three of the multiple tornadoes reported in the region overnight.
A tornado that struck Jefferson County southwest of St. Louis and spun from Hillsboro to Arnold was determined to have EF2 strength on a 1-5 scale used by federal forecasters, the weather service office based in St. Charles said on X.
That would mean it produced sustained winds between 111 to 135 mph.
A second one near Villa Ridge, a small community about 43 miles west of St. Louis, was also determined to have struck at EF2 strength, it said.
A third south of Union, a small city about 50 miles west of St. Louis, was estimated to strike at EF1 strength, the weather service said. That level is defined by sustained winds of 86 to 110 mph.
"We will continue surveying other areas in Missouri and Illinois tomorrow and Monday," it said.
Oklahoma governor declares state of emergency for 12 counties amid fires
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt declared a state of emergency today for 12 counties where wildfires boosted by the tumultuous and deadly weather front are ongoing, his office said in a statement.
The declaration allows the state to get resources to local governments more efficiently, it said.
At a news conference, Stitt said at least one person has died as a result of the fires, and at least 293 structures and 170,000 acres have been destroyed.
"It was just a perfect storm," he said. "We should have a good couple days here to get all the fires out."
A few firefighters assigned to multiple blazes in Stillwater, a city 65 miles north-northeast of Oklahoma City, were treated for smoke inhalation and dehydration and released, the city's fire chief, Terry Essary, said at a news conference today.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health said 112 people were injured in the fires and extreme weather, with six of them treated for burns.
One dead in Mississippi after tornadoes hit Covington County
One person was killed and several others were injured after two tornadoes touched down in Covington County, Mississippi, today, officials said.
The death brings the total in the severe storm outbreak to 29.
A tornado touched down in the Hot Coffee community in the northeast part of the county, downing trees and power lines, and damaging multiple structures, Covington County Emergency Management Agency said. Several minor injuries were reported.
Shortly after, a second tornado hit the town of Seminary in the southwestern part of the county, killing one person. One major injury and several minor injuries were also reported, the agency said.
That tornado also impacted power lines, trees and structures.
Additional details about the death, the injuries and the strength of the tornadoes were not immediately available.
Covington County is about 60 miles southeast of Jackson.
'We barely made it': Families devastated after tornado rips through Missouri town
Reporting from Villa Ridge, Mo.
A tornado tore through a neighborhood in Villa Ridge, Missouri, last night, uprooting trees, smashing vehicles and ripping the roofs off of multiple homes.
National Weather Service surveyor Ben Herzog had been out assessing structural damage in the neighborhood today to estimate wind speeds and classify the storm, which was later determined to be an EF2.
Joy Azddou and her family barely made it to the basement before the tornado struck their home in Villa Ridge. Their home was the first Herzog assessed for damage.
Within seconds of reaching safety, the windows shattered, and debris came crashing down around them.
“We were just crouching down. It felt like the house was coming down on us,” she said, recalling the terrifying moments as she shielded her three children.
Eight killed in Kansas dust storm crashes, bringing severe weather death toll to 28
Eight people were killed in a crash that involved more than 50 vehicles during a wind-whipped dust storm in Sherman County, Kansas, yesterday, the Kansas Highway Patrol said today.
The fatalities bring the total number of deaths related to a storm system that moved from the southern Plains to Alabama and Tennessee to 28.
The crashes were reported about 3:22 p.m. yesterday on Interstate 70, near milepost 28 in Sherman County, the Kansas Highway Patrol said in a statement.
Multiple others were injured and hospitalized, the highway patrol said. An exact number of injured people was unavailable.
"A strong weather front with high winds moved into northwest Kansas from Colorado, causing a severe dust storm," it said. "With near zero visibility, traffic began to slow, resulting in multiple crashes."
Arkansas governor says recovery could take months
After surveying damage from an EF3 tornado in Cave City today, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders warned that recovery could take months.
"It's one thing to see pictures and videos," the governor said at a news conference in the city of roughly 6,000 in northeast Arkansas. "It's a whole other world when you see it up close and personal."
She continued, "It's hard to look at this level of devastation and not be heartbroken. I mean, these are people's homes, their businesses, their livelihoods."
Huckabee Sanders said this morning she spoke to President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who she said had already committed to granting her requests for help.
The storm has been blamed for three deaths in Arkansas and injuries to 20 people, the governor said. Fifty National Guard troops and 40 state police officers have been assigned to supplement the response and secure the region in northeast Arkansas, including Sharp County.
Video shows storm debris in eastern Louisiana
A video posted to Facebook showed storm debris in Kentwood, Louisiana, today.
Weather service says 3 tornadoes confirmed west of Birmingham, Alabama
The National Weather Service said three tornadoes west of Birmingham, Alabama, have been confirmed by radar.
The weather service's office that covers Birmingham said at 4:18 p.m. CT that one of the vortexes formed and crossed near Highway 69 in northeastern Tuscaloosa County and was moving toward the historic settlement of Gorgas, which is about 35 miles northwest of the city.
Then, at 4:30 p.m., it said radar confirmed another, in southern Walker County near Tutwiler Road., between Gorgas and Parrish.
At 4:47 p.m. it said a third was confirmed by radar in Pickens County, near the town of Gordo, about 80 miles west of Birmingham. It was crossing Highway 86 and moving toward Gordo.
In all three cases the weather service urged residents in the area to seek shelter immediately.
Photos show downed trees in northeastern Missouri
Photos posted to social media show downed trees, potentially in the aftermath of tornadoes, in the community of Dupo, St. Clair County, Missouri.
In one photo, a structure in Clark County appears to be knocked over.
Photo of the morning after a potential tornado came through Southwestern Indiana
'Particularly Dangerous Situation Tornado Watch' in effect for parts of Missouri and Louisiana
A "Particularly Dangerous Situation Tornado Watch" is in effect for most of Missouri and northern Louisiana, the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center said.
"Numerous strong long-track tornadoes are likely, along with very large hail and damaging winds," the service warned on X.
The tornado watch is in effect until 6 p.m. C.T.
National Weather Service warns of potentially deadly flooding in the South
Many areas across the South may be, or will soon be, flooded, the National Weather Service warned, adding the flooding could turn deadly.
"It takes only 12 inches of fast-moving water to carry off a small car," the weather service said on X. "Remember that road barricades are put up for a reason. Driving around them puts you and your rescuers in danger."
Missouri death toll rises to 12
Storm-related deaths in Missouri have risen from 10 to 12 this afternoon.
Most of the deaths — six — are in Wayne County, while three are in Ozark County. A woman is suspected to have died from a possible electrocution in St. Louis County, an incident that police believe is storm-related.
One person died in Butler County and another died in Jefferson County.
EF3 tornado damage found in northeastern Arkansas
A National Weather Service storm survey team found EF3 tornado damage in Cave City, Arkansas.
The Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF) is a rating system used to measure wind speeds of tornadoes. An EF3 rating means the tornado had winds of 136 to 165 mph.
The tornado that impacted Cave City has estimated winds of 165 mph, the very top of the EF3 scale, per the weather service.
Over 230,000 utility customers without power across South and Midwest
Around 234,000 utility customers remain without power in parts of the South and Midwest as of 3:30 p.m. E.T., according to PowerOutage.US.
The majority of the outages, over 100,000, were in Missouri where multiple tornadoes have been reported and 12 people were killed. In Michigan, over 56,000 utility customers were without power, while more than 27,000 are without power in Illinois.
There are more than 26,000 utility customers without power in Mississippi, where at least two tornadoes have been reported this afternoon.
Woman killed by suspected storm-related electrocution in Missouri
A woman in St. Louis County, Missouri, was killed by what police believe is a suspected electrocution that was storm-related.
Officers from the St. Louis County Police Department responded to the 3000 block of Wintergreen Drive at around 12:16 a.m. early this morning.
"An adult female was found in the backyard of her residence near electrical lines. The female was pronounced deceased at the scene," police said in a news release. "The investigation is ongoing."
Severe weather risk expected to decrease tomorrow
As the line of strong storms marches east tomorrow, the severe weather risk will also decrease significantly.
Tomorrow, 27 million will be under a slight risk for severe storms from Florida to Maryland in cities including Jacksonville, Charlotte and Washington, D.C.
A storm or two will be capable of producing a tornado, scattered damaging winds and quarter-sized hail.
Wildfires burn down homes in northeastern Oklahoma community
Wildfires fueled by high winds in Oklahoma have burned down about a dozen homes in the city of Mannford, about 100 miles northeast of Oklahoma City.
Ryan Snyder grew up in a home on Birx Drive that is now completely destroyed. His mother had lived in the home since the 1970s and had planned to spend Easter there with her six children and 20 grandchildren.
Holidays had always been a big deal to the Snyder family, Ryan said.
"We just bring a family together, any excuse," Snyder said. "You know, we have impromptu cookouts up here, and you know, it’s going to take a while to rebuild, and we just need prayers and everybody rally around us."
The community is very tight-knit, "just like one big family," Ryan said.
"It’s devastating when you turn around and look down the street at the houses, some still on fire, some just smoldering," Ryan said.
More than 20 storms reported today, including 4 tornadoes
More than 20 severe weather reports have been reported today, including four tornadoes in Mississippi and Louisiana.
The risk for more severe weather across the South will continue for the next 10 to 12 hours. As of this afternoon, "Particularly Dangerous Situation Tornado Watches" remain in place through 9 p.m. CT for 10 million from Louisiana to Tennessee.
Jackson, Birmingham and Nashville are included in these alerts, with storms capable of producing violent long-track tornadoes, 75 mph wind gusts and tennis ball-sized hail.
'Large and dangerous' tornado in Mississippi
The National Weather Service in Jackson, Mississippi, warned of a "large and dangerous tornado" nearing northwest Marion, south Lawrence and southwest Jefferson Davis counties. It also said Tilton, Oak Vale, Society Hill and surrounding areas are in the immediate path.
"Seek shelter immediately!!!" the NWS said on X.
Tornado threat looms in Mississippi and Louisiana
"Multiple intense to violent long-track tornadoes" are likely today in much of Mississippi and eastern Louisiana where a "Particularly Dangerous Situation Tornado Watch" will be issued, according to the National Weather Service.
A "Particularly Dangerous Situation" designation is used by the Storm Prediction Center when the threat for damage is "unusually high." In the case of a tornado watch, this rating is used for "rare situations where long-lived and intense tornadoes are likely."
"If you live in these areas, get to the sturdiest structure you have access to and remain in place until the storms pass," the weather service warned.
Over 100 million remain at risk of strong winds, flash flooding and wildfires in Midwest and South
Around 108 million people remain under widespread wind, flash flooding and wildfire alerts today from the Great Lakes all the way to the Gulf Coast.
Widespread wind alerts continue today for 79 million throughout the Plains, Great Lakes, mid-South and Gulf Coast. Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, Nashville, New Orleans and Mobile are included in these alerts through this evening. Sustained winds will stay between 25 and 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible.
Wind gusts yesterday reached over 80 mph across parts of Oklahoma and Texas, resulting in more than 100 wildfires throughout the two states. Today, 17 million remain under those fire alerts from Nebraska to Texas including San Antonio, Houston and Austin. Wind gusts will technically be lower than yesterday, reaching up to 50 mph. Relative humidity values remain as low as 10%, creating prime conditions for any new or existing fires to rapidly spread.
Flood alerts continue for 12 million, with heavy rain targeting parts of the Ohio, Tennessee and Mississippi valleys. Rainfall totals through tonight will range from 3 to 6 inches, with higher local amounts possible. Rainfall rates of 2 inches and more per hour will also increase the risk for localized flash flooding.
Tornado emergency in Jackson, Mississippi
Residents are being urged to seek shelter in Jackson, Mississippi, as a potential tornado emergency is developing.
Photos of a Missouri neighborhood after a likely tornado hit overnight
Tornado moving through Mississippi
A tornado is currently moving through Mississippi's Pike County, according to the National Weather Service field office in New Orleans.
"This confirmed tornado continues moving northeast at 50 mph through rural southeastern Pike County and on its current track will move into Walthall County soon," the weather service said on X. "If you’re in the path of this storm (including Tylertown), take shelter NOW!!!"
At least 440 storms reported across Midwest and South, including 24 tornadoes
At least 440 storms were reported across the Midwest and the South yesterday, including 24 tornadoes in Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi and Illinois, according to preliminary reports.
Tornadoes tore through buildings in the region, leaving significant damage in their wake.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp declares state of emergency in preparation for severe weather
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency today "in preparation for the severe and potentially damaging weather front" moving toward the state this evening.
The executive order authorized the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency to mobilize resources, and will expire on Tuesday.
"This storm will hit at the worst possible time, as people are heading to or already in bed," Kemp said in a statement. "Before they retire for the evening, I’m urging everyone to be prepared ahead of time and to remain weather aware as long as this system is in the state."
Debris covers Missouri road during severe storm
Tornadoes and damaging winds forecast for parts of the South
Severe weather in the form of tornadoes and damaging winds are forecast for parts of Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas and Alabama today, according to the National Weather Service.
"There will likely be multiple waves, with thunderstorms ongoing now through the morning and another round expected by mid-morning into the afternoon," the weather service said on X. "Damaging winds (75+ mph), large hail (2”+), and strong tornadoes (EF-2+) all appear likely."
Cities in the risk zone include Memphis and Nashville in Tennessee; Little Rock, Arkansas; Oxford, Mississippi; and Athens, Alabama.
The storms are expected to move southwest to northeast, and the threat will persist until 8 p.m. tonight, per the weather service.
At least 4 killed in Texas car crashes due to high winds
At least four people were killed in three Texas car crashes due to high winds and low visibility caused by severe weather.
Two crashes involving multiple vehicles on Highway 60 in Parmer County killed two people, according to the Texas Department of Safety. Another fatal crash in Gray County involving multiple vehicles also killed two.
"Smoke from the wildfire was also a factor, as was the blowing dirt in that crash," Texas DPS Sgt. Cindy Barkley said about the Gray County crash.
1 person killed in Oklahoma wildfires, Gov. Stitt says
One person was killed when they drove into smoke from wildfires burning in Oklahoma, Gov. Kevin Stitt said today.
The fires have burned around 170,000 acres and destroyed over 290 homes and structures, according to Stitt.
"It was just a perfect storm," Stitt said. "It was the humidity levels went down to kind of record lows below 10%, and then with the winds where they were, it just dried everything out."
Stitt said he lost his farmhouse, located north of Luther in central Oklahoma, to the fire.
"So really, this kind of stuff hits close to home when those fires come through. There’s just not a lot that you can do," he said.
Residents living in the line of the fires were evacuated, Stitt said, adding that there were no reports of fatalities from homes.
Photos: Homes severely damaged after storm passes through Ozark County, Missouri
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders declares state of emergency
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has declared a state of emergency in the state after severe thunderstorms and tornadoes left destruction in their wake.
"The weather-related damage includes numerous downed power lines, creating the need for commercial vehicles to haul heavy equipment, oversized loads, transformers, necessary hardware, and other transmission and distribution equipment to line crews for the purpose of restoring power to the citizens of Arkansas," the emergency declaration read.
The state of emergency will remain in effect until March 29.
Weather system to shift east, bringing tornado threat to Virginia and Carolinas
The low-pressure system affecting the southern and northern reaches of the nation’s midsection is expected to pushes eastward, promising upheaval into the eastern U.S. through the end of the weekend.
As it moves into the Eastern Seaboard on Sunday, the tornado threat will shift to Virginia and the Carolinas.
On the northern side of the front, including the Upper Midwest and the northern Plains, blizzard conditions were forecast for the weekend, with 8 inches of snow possible in some regions.
The new week was expected to bring even more winter storm action, when at least two more low-pressure systems march eastward, the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center said.
The first of the two would likely form a solid, counterclockwise winter storm, a process the weather service calls cyclogenesis, it said. It will likely bring snow to the interior, including the Midwest and Great Lakes, with a second storm likely to bring a fresh wave of snow, rain and thunderstorms to a stretch of the nation from the Rocky Mountains to the Upper Midwest mid- to late-week ahead of the first day of astronomical spring on Thursday.
Missouri wakes up to widespread damage after overnight tornadoes and storms
Several states throughout the Midwest and South reported tornadoes overnight, with widespread damage and multiple fatalities reported in Missouri.
A gas station in Villa Ridge, Missouri, appeared significantly damaged, with debris surrounding it, after an apparent tornado hit the area.
Almost 270,000 without power as severe storms continue bombarding Midwest and South
Almost 270,000 utility customers across the Midwest and the South are without power as severe storms are expected to continue bombarding the region with tornadoes, widespread winds and even large hail.
As of 10:20 a.m. today, over 268,660 utility customers were without power, including over 138,000 in Missouri, 42,000 in Illinois and 37,000 in Indiana, according to PowerOutages.US. Over 30,000 were without power in Texas and 19,000 in Arkansas.
At least 3 storm-related deaths reported in Arkansas
At least three people were killed after a storm system moved through Arkansas overnight, according to the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM).
Officials said the deaths were all in Independence County, northern Arkansas, but did not include any details regarding how they were killed. An additional 29 people were injured across eight counties, they added.
The number of victims "are preliminary and subject to change," the division said in an update.
So far, 16 counties have reported damage to ADEM, including Independence, Clark, Hot Spring, Nevada and Fulton.
"Most counties are still assessing the full extent of the damage, but reports indicate impacts to homes, businesses and downed power lines and trees," the division said.
10 storm-related deaths reported in Missouri
At least 10 people have been killed in Missouri as a result of severe weather that has been impacting the state since yesterday, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Six of the fatalities were in Wayne County, while two were in Ozark County, MSHP said on X. One person was killed in Butler County and another was killed in Jefferson County.
"We urge residents to stay away from debris-filled areas, watch for downed power lines, and follow regional emergency services for localized updates," the patrol warned.
Weather extremes in March not unusual
Experts say it’s not unusual to see such weather extremes in March.
“What’s unique about this one is its large size and intensity,” said Bill Bunting of the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma. “And so what that is doing is producing really substantial impacts over a very large area.”
Blinding winds cause three fatal crashes in Texas, stir up wildfires
There were three fatal crashes in the Amarillo area yesterday due to high winds and low visibility, said Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Cindy Barkley. The exact number of deaths in those crashes was not immediately clear.
At least one person died and two others were injured in a crash between three semis and four other vehicles in Palmer County, said Cesar Marquez, city manager and fire chief in Bovina. It was not clear if the crash was included in the three in the Amarillo area.
There was “so much blowing dirt we were getting shocked every time we got near something,” Marquez said.
Parts of northern Texas saw gusts as strong as 62 mph, according to National Weather Service data.
The dust was not the only concern. The same system whipped up wildfires in Texas and Oklahoma on Friday as the low-pressure system moved east.
The largest of the state’s six active wildfires, the Windmill Fire in Roberts County, grew from 500 to 18,000 acres in less than a day, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. The blaze was 50% contained Friday night.
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