A powerful storm system tore through the southern and midwestern United States, claiming at least 26 lives and leaving over 900,000 without power. The twisters wreaked havoc on communities, demolishing homes, shopping centers, and even a theater roof during a heavy metal concert in Illinois.
In Tennessee’s Maury County, nine weather-related deaths were reported, while Alabama, Illinois, and Mississippi also felt the impact. Arkansas was among the hardest hit, with four fatalities in the small city of Wynne, where homes were destroyed and people were trapped in the debris.
The storm’s path of destruction was immense, stretching across eight states and affecting a broad swath of the nation, which is home to 85 million people. The National Weather Service reported that tornado-producing conditions continued into Saturday, causing widespread damage and chaos.
In Illinois, the entire Chicago area was under some type of severe weather warning or watch Friday night. The storm’s fury was on full display when the roof of the Apollo Theater in Belvidere collapsed, killing one person and injuring 40, including two with life-threatening injuries.
“The scene was chaotic, absolute chaos,” said Police Chief Shane Woody, describing the moments after the roof gave way.
Devastating Storms Ravage Southern and Midwestern USThe destructive power of the storm was evident across the region, with tornadoes touching down in Iowa and Oklahoma, where wind gusts reached up to 60mph. In Oklahoma City, residents were urged to evacuate their homes, and Interstate 35 was shut down.
As President Joe Biden toured the aftermath of a deadly tornado that struck in Mississippi one week ago, the nation was reminded of the devastating impact of severe weather events. The Little Rock tornado caused widespread damage, with 21 people seeking treatment for injuries at Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock, including five in critical condition.
“This is a very serious situation,” said Mayor Frank Scott Jr., who requested assistance from the national guard. “We are still responding.”
As the storm cleared, people began to sift through the debris, surveying the damage and coping with the losses. “I’m sad that my town has been hit so hard,” said Heidi Jenkins, a salon owner. “Our school is gone, my church is gone. I’m sad for all the people who lost their homes.”