Severe tornadoes wreak havoc across central United States, claiming 18 lives and leaving hundreds injured. States of emergency declared as storms obliterate homes and structures, leaving widespread devastation in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kentucky.
A series of suspected tornadoes tore through central United States states, leaving devastation in their wake. At least 18 people, including four children, lost their lives across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kentucky. Hundreds were injured, and homes were obliterated, with a truck stop also suffering extensive damage.
The storms caused chaos from north of Dallas to the northwest corner of Arkansas. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency, while Texas Governor Greg Abbott described the damage as crushing, with over 200 structures destroyed. Emergency declarations were extended to several counties, emphasizing the severity of the situation. In Arkansas, eight people died, with casualties also reported in Oklahoma and Kentucky.
The storms, reaching winds of up to 135 mph, left tens of thousands without power and inflicted widespread destruction. Survivors recounted harrowing experiences, with some seeking refuge in bathrooms as the storm wreaked havoc around them. Emergency services scrambled to respond, transporting numerous injured individuals to hospitals.
Meteorologists issued urgent warnings, urging residents to seek shelter as the storms unleashed their fury.
