VALLEY VIEW, Texas – A deadly series of storms ravaged through Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming at least 14 lives. The storms obliterated homes, including a truck stop where many sought shelter during the extreme weather event that hit the central United States.
Cooke County, Texas reported seven deaths, with a tornado tearing through a rural area near a mobile home park. Two people lost their lives in Oklahoma, where even an outdoor wedding was affected by the storms. Thousands of residents were left without power across the region.
The devastation in Valley View, Texas was severe, with three family members found dead in one home. Residents described the storms ripping off roofs, blowing out windows, and scattering debris for miles around the affected areas.
Near a truck stop in Valley View, Hugo Parra shared his experience of seeking shelter in a bathroom with dozens of others as the storm tore through the building. Emergency crews transported multiple people to hospitals for injuries sustained during the severe weather.
In Arkansas, at least five people were reported killed, with one woman found dead outside a destroyed home. The destructive storms also caused fatalities in Missouri and Oklahoma, with widespread power outages affecting hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses along the storm’s path.
As the system causing the severe weather moved east over Memorial Day weekend, more severe storms were expected in Illinois, Missouri, and Kentucky. The Indianapolis 500 was delayed due to a strong storm, prompting officials to evacuate race fans as dangerous weather approached. The risk of severe weather extended into North Carolina and Virginia on Monday, forecasters warned.
Reporters from various locations contributed to this report, providing insights and details on the deadly storms that struck the central United States.