Deadly tornadoes have left a trail of destruction in four US states, with nearly 200,000 people across several American states remaining without power after an onslaught of severe weather. The Memorial Day holiday weekend saw at least 23 people killed and hundreds injured as tornadoes and thunderstorms ravaged parts of the US.
Forecasters are continuing to warn of strong thunderstorms and flash flooding across northern and central parts of Texas, while extreme heat is scorching southern areas of the state and Florida. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued warnings of significant damaging wind and large hail in Texas and southern Oklahoma, with the threat extending into Wednesday.
Kentucky is currently the state worst affected by power cuts, with more than 80,000 homes affected. The severe weather on Sunday resulted in over 600 reports of storm damage across 20 states, with buildings reduced to rubble, cars flipped, and power lines brought down.
President Joe Biden has spoken with the governors of the affected states and offered federal assistance. A state of emergency has been declared in Kentucky, where Governor Andy Bashear described the storms as “devastating”. In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott declared a disaster in more than a third of counties after a tornado hit a rural area near a mobile home park, resulting in seven deaths.
The latest tornadoes follow a powerful tornado in Iowa earlier in May that killed four people. Government forecasters are also predicting an “extraordinary” 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, set to begin next month. The impact of these deadly storms serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of nature and the importance of preparedness in the face of extreme weather events.
