Tornadoes Devastate U.S. South and Midwest, Killing 33

A catastrophic tornado outbreak swept through the U.S. Midwest and Southeast on Friday night and Saturday, leaving at least 33 people dead and causing widespread destruction across multiple states.

The powerful storm system triggered dozens of tornadoes, with Missouri, Mississippi, and Arkansas among the hardest-hit areas.

In Missouri, 12 fatalities were reported across five counties, with Butler County suffering extensive damage. Robbie Myers, director of emergency management in Butler County, described the devastation: “More than 500 homes, a church, a grocery store, and a mobile home park were totally destroyed.” Emergency crews are still assessing the full extent of the destruction.

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves confirmed six deaths in the state, spread across Covington, Jeff Davis, and Walthall counties. Preliminary assessments revealed that 29 people were injured statewide, with storm damage affecting 21 counties.

In Arkansas, three fatalities and 32 injuries were reported by state officials.

The National Weather Service documented at least 26 tornado sightings during the outbreak, driven by a low-pressure system that fueled severe thunderstorms across Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi, and Missouri. Meteorologist David Roth warned that conditions remained conducive to additional tornadoes in Alabama and Mississippi over the weekend.

This multiday severe weather event has left over 200,000 people without power across five states. Emergency responders are working tirelessly to clear debris and restore essential services. Communities are grappling with the aftermath as residents survey destroyed homes and businesses.

The disaster underscores the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in the U.S., prompting calls for improved preparedness and resilience measures. As recovery efforts continue, authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant as the storm system moves eastward.