At least 34 people have lost their lives due to severe storms sweeping across the United States. The destruction has been widespread, with tornadoes and dust storms causing chaos in several states.
The tragedy unfolded on Friday when a dust storm triggered a massive pile-up on a highway in Sherman County, Kansas. Eight people died in that incident, which involved around 50 vehicles. In Texas, four more fatalities were reported from car crashes linked to similar dust storm conditions.
Missouri has been hit particularly hard, with 12 confirmed deaths from tornadoes. Other states also reported casualties: six in Mississippi, three in Arkansas, and one in Oklahoma, which has declared a state of emergency due to the severe weather.
The storms have not only caused loss of life but have also led to significant property damage. Around 108 million people across central and southern states are under alerts for wind, flash flooding, and wildfires. Power outages have affected more than 282,000 homes.
Images from the affected areas show extensive destruction. In Missouri, houses have been flattened, and emergency responders are working tirelessly to assist those impacted. The governor of Arkansas, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, described the devastation from an EF3 tornado in Cave City, noting that recovery efforts could take months.
In addition to the tornadoes, the storms have brought hail the size of baseballs and winds gusting up to 80 mph. These conditions pose risks not only to life but also to property, with many large vehicles overturned and homes destroyed.
As the storms continue to move across the country, officials are warning of further severe weather. Evacuations have been ordered in some Oklahoma communities, and the National Weather Service has issued warnings for more thunderstorms in several states.
The situation remains critical, and rescue efforts are ongoing. Communities are coming together to support one another in the aftermath of this devastating weather event.