WASHINGTON, March 17 (Alliance News): Deadly storms and tornadoes that swept through the South and Midwest over the weekend have left at least 36 people dead across six states, with portions of Pennsylvania, New York, and Mid-Atlantic and Southeast states still under a National Weather Service watch for damaging winds and tornadoes.
President Donald Trump, in a White House statement, said he was closely monitoring the situation, acknowledging the devastation caused by the storms. “Thirty-six innocent lives have been lost, and many more devastated,” he said.
The president announced the deployment of the National Guard to Arkansas and pledged federal support to state and local officials working on recovery efforts.
The storm system, which battered the South and Midwest, continued its eastward path on Sunday, leaving more than 340,000 residents without power, according to PowerOutage. Among the hardest-hit states was Missouri, where the highway patrol reported 12 fatalities across five counties. Governor Mike Kehoe said one person remained missing, and the destruction spanned 27 counties.
In Missouri’s Butler County, emergency management director Robbie Myers described extensive damage, with over 500 homes, a church, and a grocery store destroyed. A mobile home park was “totally destroyed,” he said. Residents shared harrowing accounts of the devastation. “Everything around here is really bad,” said Missouri resident Rick Brittingham. “The trailer park up the street had fatalities. I still have a home. They don’t.”
Mississippi also suffered severe losses, with six deaths reported—one in Covington County, two in Jefferson Davis County, and three in Walthall County, Governor Tate Reeves confirmed. Preliminary assessments showed 29 people injured statewide, with 21 counties sustaining storm damage.
In Arkansas, three people died, and 32 were injured, according to the state’s Department of Emergency Management.
Kansas saw an even deadlier toll when a dust storm caused a massive 50-car pileup in Sherman County, resulting in eight fatalities and multiple injuries. The Kansas Highway Patrol said many victims were rushed to nearby hospitals.
Alabama also suffered losses, with two deaths reported, Governor Kay Ivey stated. “We have reports of damage in 52 of our 67 counties,” she said.
In Texas, severe dust storms near Amarillo led to three fatalities, according to the state’s Department of Public Safety.
The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center reported at least 39 tornadoes from Friday to Sunday noon, though the exact number remains unconfirmed. Officials continue to assess the widespread destruction as emergency teams work to restore power and aid affected communities.
