Tragic Impact in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas
Powerful storms have caused widespread destruction and claimed at least 18 lives in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Hundreds of people were injured as the storms ravaged homes and businesses, including a truck stop where dozens sought refuge in a restroom.
The worst-hit area stretched from north of Dallas to the northwest corner of Arkansas, with the storm system threatening to bring more severe weather to other parts of the Midwest.
By Monday, forecasters warned that the greatest risk of violent weather would move east, affecting a large region from Alabama to near New York City. Responding, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency, citing multiple reports of wind damage and tornadoes.
In Cooke County, Texas, near the Oklahoma border, a tornado struck a rural area on Saturday night, killing seven people, including two young children. Texas Governor Greg Abbott confirmed the deaths and announced that around 100 people were injured, and over 200 homes and structures were destroyed.
The hardest-hit area was near Valley View, where winds reached an estimated 135 mph. Abbott signed an amended disaster declaration to include more counties affected by the severe weather.
Hugo Parra, who was at the truck stop north of Dallas, described how he and 40 to 50 others took shelter in a bathroom as the storm tore off the building’s roof and walls. They were fortunate to survive, with a firefighter telling them they were “very lucky.”
Nearby, Kevin Dorantes learned that a tornado was approaching his neighborhood and urged his family to take cover. They survived, but the community was left in ruins, with power lines down and homes destroyed.
In Oklahoma, two people died in Mayes County, east of Tulsa. In Arkansas, eight people lost their lives, with deaths reported in Boone, Benton, and Marion counties. Some of the fatalities were indirectly caused by the storm, such as a person suffering a heart attack and another deprived of oxygen due to power outages.
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In Kentucky, a man was killed in Louisville when a tree fell on him during the storm. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenburg confirmed the storm-related death on social media.
The severe weather caused extensive power outages across the affected regions. By late Sunday, more than 80,000 customers in Arkansas, 90,000 in Missouri, 27,000 in Texas, and 3,000 in Oklahoma were without power.
The storm system was expected to continue moving eastward over the holiday weekend. The Indianapolis 500 race was delayed by four hours due to a strong storm, and more severe weather was forecasted for Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia on Monday.
The central US is reeling from the impact of deadly storms that have left a trail of destruction, caused multiple fatalities, and injured many. As recovery efforts continue, residents are bracing for more severe weather in the coming days.
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