A recent wave of tornadoes wreaked havoc across the Southwest, leaving destruction in their wake. Over the weekend, one of the confirmed 52 tornadoes struck Paragould, Arkansas, hitting the same area that had suffered damage from a twister less than a year ago.
In late May 2024, an EF-1 tornado had already nearly destroyed several homes in Paragould. This time, the tornado was stronger, rated as an EF-2 with winds reaching up to 135 mph. The storm damaged around 160 homes in the town, but fortunately, Paragould fared better than other parts of Arkansas.
The destruction was severe. Many homes were reduced to rubble, including one that had its roof torn off in the previous storm. The community is now facing the daunting task of rebuilding once again.
The weekend also brought powerful tornadoes to other areas. In Alabama, an EF-3 tornado had winds of up to 165 mph, while two EF-4 tornadoes struck northern Arkansas with winds reaching a staggering 200 mph. The storms across the region resulted in at least 33 fatalities, leaving many communities devastated.
In Missouri, a group of 13 people sought shelter in a Burger King restroom during an EF-2 tornado. They were rescued unharmed, despite the tornado causing significant damage nearby.
As the affected communities begin to recover, survivors are sharing their experiences and the challenges they face. The road to rebuilding will be long, but the resilience of these towns shines through in the aftermath of such destructive storms.