PIEDMONT, Mo. — A powerful storm system unleashed destruction across several states over the weekend, leaving at least 35 people dead and causing widespread damage from tornadoes, fierce winds, and dust storms.
Tornado Threat Continues in the Southeast
The National Weather Service issued tornado watches Sunday morning for parts of the Carolinas, eastern Georgia, and northern Florida. Meteorologist Cody Snell warned that damaging winds remained a significant threat, with the possibility of additional tornadoes forming throughout the day.
“As this cold front moves across the country, severe weather could still impact the upper Ohio Valley, western Pennsylvania, the mid-Atlantic, and the Southeast,” Snell stated. He noted that the storm system would not clear the East Coast until late Sunday night.
Forecasters had labeled the system as a rare “high risk” event, though March is historically known for extreme weather fluctuations.
Alabama Reports Three Fatalities from Tornadoes
Central Alabama was struck by multiple tornadoes, leaving three people dead. Among them was an 82-year-old woman who lost her life when a tornado demolished her manufactured home, Dallas County Sheriff Michael L. Granthum confirmed.
In Troy, Alabama, a community recreation center that had sheltered over 200 residents sustained structural damage. Fortunately, officials reported no injuries among those seeking refuge.
“The Recreation Center suffered significant damage, but we are grateful that no one inside was harmed,” local authorities said.
Missouri Tornadoes Claim 12 Lives
In Missouri, multiple tornadoes left a path of destruction, killing at least 12 people. Wayne County resident Dakota Henderson described the devastation near his aunt’s home, where he and others found five bodies amid the wreckage.
“It was a horrific scene,” Henderson said. “We managed to rescue my aunt through the only standing room in her house, but many others weren’t as lucky.”
Authorities continued to assess the destruction on Saturday. Butler County Coroner Jim Akers reported that one victim’s home was completely unrecognizable.
“The house was reduced to nothing but scattered debris,” Akers said. “The floor had flipped over, and we were essentially walking on walls.”
Mississippi Confirms Six Deaths, Arkansas Reports Three
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves announced six fatalities across three counties and confirmed that at least three individuals remained missing.
Bailey Dillon, 24, and her fiancé Caleb Barnes witnessed a massive twister tear through the Tylertown area.
“The destruction was unbelievable,” Dillon said. “Buildings, RVs, and entire homes were turned into rubble.”
Paradise Ranch RV Park, one of the hardest-hit areas, assured the public that all guests and staff were safe, though Dillon noted the surrounding neighborhood suffered extensive damage.
In Arkansas, three people lost their lives due to the storms, officials confirmed.
Dust Storms and Wildfires Cause Chaos in the Midwest
High winds generated severe dust storms that resulted in multiple fatalities on Friday. Kansas officials reported a major highway pileup involving over 50 vehicles, leaving eight people dead. In Texas, three people died in separate crashes during a dust storm in Amarillo.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma battled raging wildfires, with more than 130 fires reported across the state. Governor Kevin Stitt estimated that nearly 300 homes had been damaged or destroyed.
Eyewitness Accounts Capture the Storm’s Fury
Several dramatic moments from the extreme weather event were caught on video and widely shared online.
Tad Peters and his father, Richard, were refueling their pickup truck in Rolla, Missouri, on Friday night when tornado sirens blared. As they watched from their vehicle, a massive funnel cloud loomed in the distance.
“Oh my God, it’s coming,” Tad exclaimed in a video. “Look at all that debris!”
Deciding to turn back from their planned trip to Indiana, the pair drove home to Norman, Oklahoma—only to be met with the threat of wildfires upon arrival.
Recovery Efforts Underway
Authorities continue to assess the storm’s impact, and officials warn that the death toll could rise as search-and-rescue operations progress.
More severe weather remains possible as the cold front moves eastward, with residents urged to remain vigilant .
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