Severe storms sweeping across Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas have claimed the lives of at least 11 people and caused widespread destruction, authorities reported Sunday.
The powerful weather system battered multiple states, resulting in the demolition of homes and a truck stop sheltering several drivers during the latest bout of extreme weather to hit the central United States.
In Texas, near the Oklahoma border, seven fatalities were reported after a tornado struck a rural area late Saturday, wreaking havoc on a mobile home park.
Cook County Sheriff Ray Sappington confirmed that three of the deceased were members of a single-family found in a home near the small community of Valley View.
Oklahoma also faced significant damage, with attendees at an outdoor wedding injured and tens of thousands of residents experiencing power outages.
Emergency responders, including ambulances and helicopters, transported numerous injured individuals to hospitals in Denton County, Texas, though the full extent of injuries remains unknown.
Arkansas saw its share of tragedy as well, with the Boone County Emergency Management Office reporting two deaths.
A 26-year-old woman was found dead outside a destroyed home in Olvey, and another fatality occurred in Benton County. Melody Kwok, the county’s communications director, stated that several others were injured and that emergency crews were actively responding to calls.
Officials in Mayes County, Oklahoma, also confirmed two fatalities. Mike Dunham, the county’s deputy emergency management director, said details about the deceased were not immediately available.
The destructive storms underscore the severe weather risks faced by central U.S. states and the ongoing efforts of emergency services to manage the aftermath and support affected communities.
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