VALLEY VIEW, Texas – The death toll from the recent severe weather in the United States has risen to at least 20 in multiple states, with devastating storms leaving a trail of destruction across Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Powerful tornadoes obliterated homes, including a truck stop where many sought shelter during the deadly weather that struck the central U.S.
These powerful storms caused widespread damage in a region spanning from north of Dallas to the northwest corner of Arkansas. Forecasters indicated that the severe weather risk would shift eastward, covering a broad swath of the country from Alabama to near New York City.
In Cooke County, Texas, near the Oklahoma border, seven deaths were reported following a tornado that plowed through a rural area near a mobile home park. Among the victims were two children, ages 2 and 5, along with three family members found dead in one home, according to Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
Arkansas also reported eight fatalities, with two deaths attributed to circumstances related to the storm itself rather than direct weather effects. The destructive tornadoes hit various areas, leaving a 26-year-old woman dead in Boone County and other casualties in Benton and Marion Counties.
The small community of Charleston in Arkansas took a direct hit from the storm, resulting in several destroyed homes and essential utilities being knocked out. The aftermath left residents assessing the widespread damage, with trees scattered, houses displaced, and power lines down.
Hugo Parra, a resident from Farmers Branch, shared his harrowing experience of seeking shelter in a bathroom with dozens of others at a ravaged truck stop near Valley View, Texas. The storm tore off the building’s roof and walls, leaving behind a scene of destruction with mangled metal beams and damaged vehicles.
The severe weather not only claimed lives but also caused significant infrastructure damage, toppling power lines and leaving tens of thousands of homes and businesses without electricity. As the storm system moved eastward, more severe weather warnings were issued for Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee, with the risk of storms extending into North Carolina and Virginia.
This grim month of deadly severe weather in the nation’s midsection underscores the urgent need for preparedness and resilience in the face of increasingly destructive storms. Meteorologists and experts continue to study the patterns and impacts of these severe weather events, highlighting the importance of early warnings and safety measures to minimize the loss of life and property in the future.