Deadly Storms Leave 42 Dead Across Eight States

BREVARD, North Carolina — At least 42 people have died following a series of severe storms that swept through the northeastern United States over the weekend. The storms produced tornadoes, dust storms, and wildfires, resulting in widespread damage across multiple states from Friday through Sunday.

The fatalities include two children in Transylvania County, North Carolina, who were killed when a tree fell on their trailer early Sunday morning. Firefighters found the boys, aged 11 and 13, trapped under debris when they arrived at the scene. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein expressed his condolences, stating, ‘I am heartbroken to learn that two children were killed over the weekend due to severe weather. May their memories be a blessing.’

Overall, the storm system was responsible for three deaths in Alabama, three in Arkansas, 12 in Missouri, four in Oklahoma, eight in Kansas, six in Mississippi, two in North Carolina, and four in Texas, according to NBC News reports.

The National Weather Service reported that an EF-2 tornado struck Talladega County, Alabama, with winds reaching up to 111 mph on Saturday. This outbreak affected at least seven states, including Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, and Arkansas, causing extensive property damage, uprooting trees, and downing power lines.

‘I was holding my wife to my chest and just watching everything disappear,’ said William Shultz from Tylertown, Mississippi, recalling the moment a tornado struck their area. ‘I’m just thankful to be alive. The important thing is me and my family are safe.’

An EF-3 tornado caused significant destruction in Plantersville, Alabama, where it lifted a mobile home off its foundation and left it feet away. Ralph Mims, who sheltered with his family during the storm, said, ‘If we had been in that house, we wouldn’t be here today.’

Power outages affected over 120,000 customers across various states, with Pennsylvania reporting more than 56,000 outages, followed by Missouri with over 25,000 and New York with more than 23,000. Wildfires also raged through Texas and Oklahoma, claiming at least four lives.

The storms have since weakened as they moved east. Flood watches are now in effect for northern New York and northern New England, where heavy rainfall and melting snow could lead to isolated flooding.

On Monday, the storm system prompted winter storm watches for eight million residents in the western United States, with predictions of heavy snow and wind gusts up to 60 mph, particularly in the Sierra Nevada. Despite the reduction in tornado activity, a critical fire risk remains for areas from Denver to San Angelo, Texas, and east to Oklahoma City, as 42 million people were placed under fire alerts across the Great Plains.

In Winterboro, Alabama, an EF-2 tornado destroyed homes and even lifted a school bus into a gym as it hit during the storm. The Talladega County Coroner identified one of the victims as 83-year-old Harry Leon Fain, a well-known figure in the community. ‘Everybody knew him. He was a real nice fellow,’ said Luther Lackey, assistant chief at the Winterboro Volunteer Fire Department.

Authorities throughout the affected regions continue to assess the widespread damage and provide assistance to victims. Recovery efforts are expected to extend into the coming weeks as communities rebuild.