Here are the revised key takeaways:
– Severe thunderstorms have led to 40 reported fatalities in seven states.
– A total of 52 tornadoes were reported from severe thunderstorm activity between Friday and Saturday, with the possibility of this number increasing pending storm surveys.
– Oklahoma experienced multiple wildfires due to powerful winds spreading flames.
– An expansive dust storm affected West and central Texas, Oklahoma, and parts of Kansas, reducing visibility to under a mile in some areas on Friday. The dust later moved into the Midwest on Saturday, resulting in hazy skies and poor air quality.
– Nearly 1,100 flights were canceled nationwide between Friday and Saturday.
– A widespread and violent storm system has caused at least 40 deaths across seven states as of Monday, with additional fatalities occurring in Oklahoma. Severe storms have affected over 20 states and 150 million people for three consecutive days, bringing destructive winds, large hail, tornadoes, and flooding.
– Confirmed storm-related deaths by state: Missouri (12), Kansas (8), Arkansas (3), Mississippi (6), Alabama (3), Texas (4), Oklahoma (4).
– The death toll in Oklahoma due to storm-driven wildfires and winds has increased to four, according to state officials. These deaths were attributed to fire or high wind in Lincoln, Garfield, Haskell, and Pawnee counties.
– Additional deaths and injuries were reported in Mississippi and Alabama. Severe weather caused two deaths in Dallas County and one in Winterboro, Talladega County.
– Governor Kay Ivey of Alabama expressed condolences for the lost lives and praised the efforts of first responders, emergency management officials, and linemen.
– Damage assessment is ongoing, with reports of damage in 52 out of 67 counties in Alabama.
– In Mississippi, a tornado resulted in three deaths in Tylerstown, with two fatalities in Jefferson Davis County and another in Covington County. Three individuals are currently missing.
– The National Weather Service in Little Rock reported EF-4 tornado damage near Diaz in Jackson County, with estimated winds reaching up to 190 mph. This is the first EF-4 tornado in the area since the Mayflower-Vilonia tornado in 2014.
On December 10, 2021, in Bay AR (Craighead County), significant damage was reported late Saturday night in Calera, Alabama. The pastor of Calera Baptist Church mentioned that the sanctuary suffered heavy damage, including the roof being torn off the building. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Following the storm, the city shared a statement on Facebook stating that no injuries were reported from the earlier evening storm.
Members of Calera Baptist Church gathered to pray before starting the cleanup process after a tornado hit the church on March 16, 2025, in Calera, Alabama. Tragically, at least 12 people in Missouri and 4 in Arkansas lost their lives, and many others were injured as severe storms, including multiple tornadoes, swept through the central United States from late Friday night into Saturday. Additionally, four individuals were reported dead on Friday afternoon due to extreme winds, dust storms, and wildfires in Texas and Oklahoma.
Oklahoma officials reported over 130 fires across 44 counties, burning more than 170,000 acres and damaging 293 homes and buildings. Governor Kevin Stitt confirmed one death related to wildfire smoke and commended the success of evacuation alerts for the low death toll. Despite losing his own ranch in the wildfires, Stitt promised to rebuild.
The severe storms destroyed homes, businesses, and entire neighborhoods, leaving parts of Missouri and Mississippi in turmoil. In a separate incident, a major 71-vehicle crash in Kansas claimed the lives of at least 8 people on Saturday. Troopers attributed the crash to a combination of powerful wind gusts and blowing dust that created near zero visibility conditions, leading to a massive pileup on I-70 in Kansas.
Governor Laura Kelly expressed sympathy for those impacted by the crash and urged motorists to remain cautious due to ongoing weather events. The crash prompted the closure of both eastbound and westbound I-70 from Goodland to Colby. Goodland Fire Chief Brian James described the response to the crash as emotionally challenging, marking it as one of the toughest experiences in his 22-year firefighting career.
It was a challenging situation to navigate. Juggling multiple agencies, over thirty patients, triaging individuals, coordinating with over 55 vehicles, and battling extreme weather conditions made ensuring the safety of my crews and myself a complex task. The dedication and hard work of these individuals in keeping our community safe and secure often goes unnoticed. To transport patients to hospitals in Goodland and Colby, we had to be resourceful, utilizing our fire department support vehicle with AEMT’s and patrol vehicles from various law enforcement agencies. While it’s heartbreaking to have lost lives in this incident, we are grateful for those we were able to save.
A new wave of tornadoes swept through the South on Saturday, bringing severe weather to the Tennessee Valley and Gulf Coast states. Tornadoes and damaging thunderstorms caused destruction, with residents facing curfews and heavy damage in places like Taylorsville. The chaos was compounded by a magnitude 3.0 earthquake in central Mississippi at the same time.
Storm Chaser Aaron Jayjack described the harrowing experience of witnessing a tornado in eastern Mississippi, emphasizing the dangers posed by not just tornadoes but also heavy rain and flash floods in the region. Hundreds of reports of severe weather have been documented across the Plains, Gulf Coast, and Midwest since the storms began on Friday.
The death toll from the severe weather outbreak on Friday night has risen, with Missouri bearing the brunt of the fatalities. The devastation in areas like Poplar Bluff and Wayne County underscores the destructive impact of the storms, with communities coming together to search for survivors and recover from the destruction.
Damage caused by severe weather in Harmony Hills trailer park and Wayne County, Missouri on March 15, 2025 resulted in numerous homes being destroyed. A man tragically lost his life in Butler County when a tornado hit a mobile home park near Poplar Bluff, causing devastating damage. The Coroner described the scene as a “debris field” with buildings in the city also suffering significant harm. Rescue efforts revealed five bodies in the debris outside a damaged house in Wayne County.
Further reports confirmed storm-related deaths, including a woman in St. Louis County who was electrocuted, emphasizing the dangers of downed power lines. Additional casualties were reported in Tylertown, Mississippi, and Independence County, Arkansas, with numerous injuries in northern Arkansas due to severe weather. Authorities urged caution, advising people to avoid affected areas to allow first responders to work efficiently.
Missouri State Highway Patrol warned about debris on I-44 and MO 72, stressing the danger of driving over downed power lines. Rescue operations were ongoing, with efforts to locate and assist those in need. Residents were urged to stay safe, avoid looters, and report any suspicious activity promptly. Eyewitnesses captured the intensity of the tornado, highlighting the sudden and destructive nature of the storms.
In Elliott, Mississippi, search and rescue teams worked tirelessly throughout the night to locate survivors amidst the widespread devastation caused by nocturnal tornadoes. The aftermath of the storms left behind scenes of destruction, emphasizing the urgent need for support and recovery efforts in the affected areas.
On March 15, 2025, a tornado struck Elliott, Mississippi, causing widespread devastation. According to a resident, the tornado lasted about 10 minutes and sounded like a freight train approaching. Rescuers worked tirelessly, using flashlights to navigate through the rubble of destroyed homes to rescue those trapped under heavy debris.
The aftermath of the tornado left a scene of destruction in Elliott, with people consoling each other in the wake of the disaster. Additionally, multiple tornadoes hit northeastern Arkansas during the night, catching residents off guard.
Reports from Cushman and Cave City in Arkansas described catastrophic storm damage, with some areas unrecognizable due to the destruction. Residents shared accounts of complete devastation, likening the scene to that of a bomb blast.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders visited the hard-hit areas, where three people lost their lives. She expressed gratitude for the community’s support and urged those in need of assistance or willing to help to reach out.
Power outages in various states, including Missouri, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York City, were reported due to the storm. However, power had been mostly restored in Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and other southeastern states affected by the severe weather.
Storm survey teams were deployed to assess the damage, debris, and tornado paths to determine the extent of the impact. It was expected to take several days to complete these surveys and fully understand the scope of the widespread severe weather outbreak.
The outbreak affected over 24 states as it moved eastward on Sunday.
