A massive storm system sweeping across the U.S. Midwest and South has left at least 40 people dead, hundreds of homes destroyed, and entire communities grappling with staggering damage. Missouri, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas are among the hardest-hit states, with tornadoes, wildfires, and dust storms cutting a deadly path through the region.
Missouri recorded the highest death toll, with 12 fatalities confirmed as of Sunday evening. Governor Mike Kehoe described the destruction as "staggering," adding, "Hundreds of homes, schools, and businesses have been either destroyed or severely damaged."
Kansas reported eight deaths after a dust storm triggered a pile-up involving more than 55 vehicles. In Texas, four people died in a separate dust storm that led to a 38-vehicle crash.
Oklahoma, where nearly 150 wildfires flared amid winds exceeding 80 mph, saw at least four deaths. The blazes scorched approximately 170,000 acres, destroyed close to 300 structures, and even razed a farmhouse belonging to Governor Kevin Stitt.
In Mississippi, tornadoes killed six people. Alabama recorded three fatalities, including an 82-year-old woman. Arkansas reported three deaths and 29 injuries as severe weather battered the state.
The extreme weather system left over 320,000 people without power across multiple states, according to PowerOutageUS. States of emergency have been declared in Arkansas, Georgia, and Oklahoma.
The National Weather Service confirmed that two EF4 tornadoes struck Arkansas on Friday, the first time in over two decades that the state has experienced multiple EF4-level twisters in a single day. One of the tornadoes had wind speeds peaking at 190 mph.
In Alabama's Talladega County, residents described the scene as catastrophic. "Disaster," said James Stewart, a local resident. "I've seen nothing like this since I was a kid."
Volunteers gathered to begin cleanup efforts in the town of Alpine. Charles Kelly, pastor of Winterboro Community Church, described the damage as "minimal" compared to neighboring areas, despite the roof and walls of a school gymnasium torn away and a flipped school bus lodged against a building.
Meanwhile, the Southern Plains continue to face dangerous fire conditions. The Storm Prediction Center warned of "extremely critical" fire weather in parts of Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Colorado, with gusts reaching 60 mph.
President Donald Trump confirmed on Sunday that the National Guard had been deployed to Arkansas to assist with relief efforts. "Please join Melania and me in praying for everyone impacted by these terrible storms!" Trump posted on Truth Social.
However, concerns about the federal government's preparedness for natural disasters have been mounting. Layoffs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and discussions of drastic changes to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have raised alarms among lawmakers and emergency experts.
Earlier this year, Trump suggested eliminating FEMA altogether, proposing instead to redirect disaster relief funds directly to states. NOAA, which provides critical weather forecasting, reportedly terminated 800 employees, sparking concerns over the agency's ability to provide timely alerts during tornado and hurricane seasons.
Despite these policy shifts, Trump reiterated that his administration stands ready to assist affected states in recovery efforts, stating, "We are actively monitoring the severe tornadoes and storms that have impacted many States across the South and Midwest."
