At least 34 dead as storms and tornadoes rip through US

At least 34 people have died and dozens are injured as monster storms hit the US, triggering violent tornadoes and wildfires.

At least 34 people have died and dozens are injured as monster storms hit the US, triggering violent tornadoes and wildfires across several states.

At least 26 tornadoes were reported, but not confirmed, on Friday night and early Saturday US time, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters have warned more strong winds and flash flooding are on the way, with the country’s extreme weather conditions expected to affect an area with more than 100 million people.

A home destroyed in severe weather in Missouri. Picture: Missouri State Highway Patrol/AFP

Nineteen people have died and dozens have been left injured. Picture: Missouri State Highway Patrol/AFP

At least 12 people have died in the state of Missouri – which has recorded more fatalities than any other state – and another three deaths have been reported in both Arkansas and Mississippi.

Eight people have also died in a dust storm in Kansas, where 50 vehicles involved in a crash.

“It appears that multiple tornadoes moved through our county from the southwest to the northeast, causing significant damage to multiple areas,” said Police Chief Jordan Hill from Tylertown, Mississippi.

“As of now, we can confirm three fatalities – one juvenile and two adults – as well as multiple injuries.”

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee said she spoke to US President President Donald Trump on the phone about the situation on Saturday.

“He said to tell the people of Arkansas he loves them and he and his administration are here to help with whatever we need following last night’s tornadoes,” she wrote on X.

At least 11 people have died in the state of Missouri. Picture: Missouri State Highway Patrol/AFP

More than 200,000 people without power

Photos shared on social media show trails of destruction with multiple homes ripped apart, buildings destroyed and cars flipped over.

More than 200,000 people have been left without power across Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Texas and Arkansas.

“Severe weather – including tornadoes – will linger well into the night-time hours tonight as the threat pushes into Florida Panhandle and Georgia,” the National Weather Service wrote in a post on X on Saturday.

A deep low pressure system centred in Minnesota/Wisconsin. Picture: X@NWS

The weather service has also issued blizzard warnings for parts of Minnesota and Dakota.
In a post on X, it warned a deep low pressure system centred in Minnesota and Wisconsin was “bringing high winds, blowing snow, critical fire weather, thunderstorms, and blowing dust across numerous states”.

Fires in Oklahoma

Meanwhile in Oklahoma, Governor Kevin Stitt has declared a state of emergency for 12 counties where wildfires, fanned by heavy winds, have broken out.

Fires have broken out in Oklahoma. Picture: NBC News

Governor Kevin Stitt's home was destroy in a fire. Picture: X

In a Saturday press conference, Mr Stitt said one person has died and at least 293 structures and 170,000 acres have been destroyed in the fires.

“It was just a perfect storm,” he said. “We should have a good couple days here to get all the fires out.”
The Oklahoma Governor revealed his own home also burnt down in the fires.

“After travelling the state today surveying damage, I ended by visiting my ranch where we lost everything to the fires. It’s a sad garden update today,” he wrote in a post on X.
“Oklahomans, we are in this together and we will build back stronger.”
Strong winds and dry conditions have also triggered wildfires in Texas.

Originally published as At least 34 dead as storms and tornadoes rip through US