Severe tornadoes have swept through several states in the U.S., leaving at least 14 people dead and many others injured. Forecasters have warned that more destructive storms—rare in their intensity and frequency—could still hit, particularly in the southern region of the country.
According to reports from The New York Times, the Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed 11 fatalities in Missouri, while the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management reported three deaths and 29 injuries in Arkansas.
Robbie Myers, director of Butler County’s Emergency Management Department, stated that over 500 homes, a grocery store, and a church were destroyed in the county. He described the scene at a mobile home park as “devastating,” noting that multiple individuals were hospitalized due to injuries.
On Saturday, the National Weather Service issued its highest-level tornado risk alert for certain parts of the South, with Louisiana and Mississippi expected to face the most significant threats from midday into the afternoon.
Forecasters also anticipate violent storms moving through Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia, with some extending into northern Florida from Saturday afternoon into the night.
Additionally, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has cautioned about excessive rainfall and potential flash flooding in the Southeast, warning that several strong tornadoes could occur throughout Saturday evening.