At least 36 people have been killed across Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas Alabama and Mississippi as severe weather swept across the Midwest and South. Preliminary reports show more than 34 of Saturday’s storms were tornadoes.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves says three deaths were reported in Walthall County and one in Covington County, and two people were killed in the same home in Jefferson Davis County. At least 28 people have been injured by the Mississippi tornadoes and three people are reported missing. Storm damage has been reported in 21 Mississippi counties, and as of Saturday night, thousands in Mississippi were still without power.
Possible tornado damage is being reported across Alabama. WVTM in Birmingham says homes and buildings have been damaged by potential tornadoes across the state. Multiple reports say the town of Gordo in central Alabama and other parts of Pickens County suffered significant tornado damage Saturday. WSFA in Montgomery says a ‘considerable’ tornado is believed to have made its way across Pike County near Troy and to the town of Banks.
Nearly 300 buildings have been destroyed by Oklahoma wildfires. Governor Kevin Stitt said Saturday that the fires fueled by gusty winds swept through both rural and urban areas across the state. The fierce winds also knocked down power lines and street signs, snapped tree limbs and ripped shingles off roofs. Stitt said the wildfires burned about 170-thousand acres across Oklahoma and killed one person when thick smoke caused a traffic accident. The governor declared a “disaster emergency” for 12 counties, and said it will help those affected get access to federal resources.