A powerful storm system swept through the South and Midwest on Friday, causing widespread devastation. Tornadoes struck Arkansas and Illinois, resulting in significant damage and casualties.
In Little Rock, Arkansas, at least one person was killed and over 20 others injured, with some in critical condition. The tornado heavily damaged neighborhoods and a shopping center, including a Kroger store. The destruction extended to North Little Rock and surrounding areas.
In Belvidere, Illinois, a tornado caused the roof of the Apollo Theatre to collapse during a heavy metal concert, killing one person and injuring 28, five critically.
Emergency responders work at the Apollo Theatre in Belvidere, Illinois, where a tornado caused the roof to collapse during a concert, resulting in one death and multiple injuries.The collapse happened around 7:48 p.m., with first responders rescuing individuals from an elevator and dealing with downed power lines. Belvidere Police Chief Shane Woody described the scene as “absolute chaos.”
The storm also impacted Iowa, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. In Wynne, Arkansas, the tornado resulted in severe damage, with two fatalities reported. Power outages affected nearly 90,000 customers in Arkansas, and high winds fueled grass fires in Oklahoma, leading to evacuations.
In addition to tornadoes, the storm system caused hail and power outages across several states, including Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Texas. The National Weather Service predicted more intense storms in the coming days.
President Joe Biden, currently touring tornado-hit areas in Mississippi, assured federal assistance for recovery efforts. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders activated the National Guard to support local response teams. The severe weather event highlights the increasing frequency and intensity of such storms as global temperatures rise.