Powerful storms killed at least nine people and caused extensive damage across Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas on Sunday. The storms, which included deadly tornadoes, obliterated homes and destroyed a truck stop where drivers had sought shelter, adding to the severe weather challenges facing the central U.S.
Destruction in Texas
Five fatalities were reported in Texas near the Oklahoma border, where a tornado on Saturday night devastated a rural area close to a mobile home park. Cooke County Sheriff Ray Sappington described the scene as a severe trail of debris, with multiple people transported to hospitals by ambulance and helicopter. Three family members were among the dead, found in a single home near Valley View.
Impact in Arkansas and Oklahoma
Arkansas reported at least two deaths, including a 26-year-old woman found outside a destroyed home in Olvey, Boone County. Another fatality occurred in Benton County, where multiple injuries were also reported. Emergency responders continued search and rescue operations in the affected areas.
In Oklahoma, officials confirmed two deaths in Mayes County, though details were not immediately available. The region also saw significant damage and injuries from severe weather, including a tornado that disrupted an outdoor wedding in Woods County.
Widespread Devastation
The storms left tens of thousands of residents without power and caused significant structural damage. In Texas, a tornado overturned tractor-trailers on Interstate 35 and damaged a highway truck stop where 60 to 80 people had sought shelter. Despite the destruction, there were no serious injuries at the truck stop.
Aerial footage revealed the full scope of the devastation at daybreak, showing homes without roofs, overturned cars, and collapsed garages. Residents were seen assessing the damage and sorting through the wreckage of their homes.
Ongoing Severe Weather
The severe weather continues a particularly grim period for the U.S. Midwest, where April saw the second-highest number of tornadoes on record. Recent tornadoes in Iowa resulted in at least five deaths and numerous injuries.
The National Weather Service issued urgent warnings as the storms moved eastward. The system was expected to bring rain and more severe storms to Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Kentucky over the Memorial Day weekend. North Carolina and Virginia were also at risk of severe weather on Monday.
This latest bout of storms underscores the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, which many attribute to the impacts of climate change.
