At least 34 individuals have lost their lives in the United States following destructive tornadoes that swept through multiple south-eastern states, upending vehicles and leveling residences. In Kansas, a dust storm on Friday led to a collision involving over 50 vehicles, resulting in the deaths of at least eight people. Texas experienced a comparable large-scale pile-up. States like Arkansas, Georgia, and Oklahoma have declared a state of emergency due to over 100 wildfires blazing. A third day of severe weather is forecasted for Sunday, with flash floods and additional tornado warnings issued across the region. The National Weather Service (NWS) cautioned of “intense to violent” tornadoes, labeling the situation as “particularly hazardous.” Residents in Alabama were advised by the NWS to seek refuge in the sturdiest structure available and remain indoors until the storms subside, following numerous tornado warnings issued on Saturday night. Approximately 250,000 properties in the U.S. were without power on Sunday morning, as reported by PowerOutage tracker. In Missouri, where a minimum of 12 individuals perished, Governor Mike Kehoe described the state as “devastated by severe storms… leaving homes in ruins and lives lost.” Initial reports indicated that 19 tornadoes had hit 25 counties in the state, according to its emergency management agency. Amidst the devastation, a home belonging to one of the deceased was completely destroyed. Coroner Jim Akers of Butler County expressed, “It was unrecognizable as a home. Just a debris field… The floor was upside down. We were walking on walls.” Alicia Wilson, evacuated from her Missouri residence, recounted the harrowing experience, stating, “It was the scariest thing I’ve ever been through – it was so fast, our ears were all about to burst.” A mother in Mississippi shared the fear her daughter experienced, recalling her six-year-old screaming that she didn’t want to die during the ordeal. A dust storm in Texas triggered a collision involving around 38 vehicles, claiming the lives of at least four individuals, as confirmed by local authorities. Sgt Cindy Barkley from the state’s public safety department described it as the worst she had ever witnessed, highlighting the challenge of discerning the full extent of the incident until the dust settled. These destructive storms served as a catalyst for numerous wildfires in central states, particularly Oklahoma, where over 130 fires were recorded on Friday, as reported by the state’s department of emergency management. Governor Kevin Stitt, who personally experienced significant losses on his ranch due to the fires, emphasized the unbelievable extent of damage in the state and pledged to rebuild stronger. Tornadoes arise from the interaction of warm, moist air rising and mixing with cold air above, generating thunderclouds. Variably directed winds induce rotation, creating an upward-moving vortex of air. Several states, including Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Kansas, are situated within Tornado Alley, a region frequently affected by tornadoes
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