Washington, USA – Deadly tornadoes and devastating thunderstorms have rocked the central United States, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming the lives of at least 23 individuals over the weekend. The severe weather has left nearly 300,000 residents without power in seven states as of Monday night.
Forecasters are warning of continued risks as severe thunderstorms, damaging wind gusts, hail, and flash flooding are expected to persist. The National Weather Service (NWS) has indicated that the severe weather threat has shifted eastward, covering a vast area from Alabama to New York.
The NWS also predicts heavy rain along the east coast through Tuesday morning, with potential for severe thunderstorms to develop across the northeast and southeast regions of the US. Additionally, searing heat is forecasted to impact parts of the southern US, with record-breaking temperatures expected.
On Sunday, the US experienced its busiest severe weather day of the year, with over 600 reports of storm damage spanning across 20 states. The destructive storms resulted in buildings reduced to rubble, cars overturned, and power lines downed. The extreme weather even forced the evacuation of 125,000 spectators at the Indianapolis 500 race.
Tragically, several states reported weather-related deaths, with eight fatalities in Arkansas, seven in Texas, two in Oklahoma, and five in Kentucky. President Joe Biden has reached out to the governors of the affected states, offering federal assistance to support recovery efforts.
In response to the devastation, Kentucky Governor Andy Bashear declared a state of emergency for his state, emphasizing the widespread impact of the storms on communities and families. Fatalities have also been reported in other states, including a heartbreaking incident in Colorado where a farmer and 34 cows were killed by a lightning strike.
Governor Greg Abbott of Texas issued disaster declarations for more than a third of the state’s counties following the extreme weather that resulted in seven deaths, including two children. The latest tornadoes have left a rural community near the Oklahoma border in shambles, with significant damage to buildings and vehicles.
As the US braces for more severe weather and the potential for an “extraordinary” 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, government agencies are urging residents to remain vigilant and prepared for further threats.