Unusually vicious and damaging weather across multiple U.S. states spawned violent tornadoes, blinding dust storms, and fast-moving wildfires over the weekend, resulting in at least 39 people dead.
The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management reported on Sunday evening that more than 400 homes were damaged as wildfires swept across the state Friday. Mayor Will Joyce stated on Facebook that at least 74 homes in and around Stillwater were destroyed by wildfires, while the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed four fatalities related to these fires or high winds.
The National Weather Service indicated that weekend tornado watches had mostly expired, although dangerous winds remained possible in the Carolinas, eastern Georgia, and northern Florida through Sunday. In Mississippi, residents Hailey Hart and her fiancé Steve Romero found themselves inside their 1994 Toyota Celica as a tornado ripped apart their home on Saturday, March 15. Romero prayed aloud and hugged Hart tightly as the car rolled onto its side, windows shattering before finally landing on its wheels again. After the twister passed, they heard nearby cries for help.
Next door, Hart's grandparents were also affected, managing to crawl out from the rubble of their destroyed house. They had sought refuge in the bathroom as trees fell and the roof collapsed. “Everything was coming down on us,” shared Donna Blansett, Hart’s grandmother. “All I could do was pray to God to save us.” The family members, friends, and volunteers worked through Sunday to remove debris and salvage what they could, from damp clothes to a photo album.
Hart expressed gratitude through tears as she embraced her grandmother, saying she was thankful they were alive. The dynamic storm that began Friday earned an unusual “high risk” designation from weather forecasters, yet experts noted that such weather extremes are not uncommon in March.
President Donald Trump posted on his social media platform that his administration stands ready to assist communities affected by these terrible storms, urging all to pray for those impacted. In central Alabama, at least three people, including an 82-year-old woman, were killed as multiple tornadoes struck. In Troy, officials reported that the recreation center where many residents had taken shelter had to be closed due to storm damage.
In Missouri, scattered tornadoes claimed at least twelve lives, with Dakota Henderson recounting the horror as he and others rescued trapped neighbors outside what remained of his aunt’s home in Wayne County. “It’s really disturbing for what happened to the people, the casualties last night,” Henderson said, observing the wreckage and noting that they managed to rescue his aunt through a window in the only room still standing.
Coroner Jim Akers described the scene where one man died as “just a debris field,” indicating the destruction wrought by the storm. In Mississippi, Governor Tate Reeves confirmed that six people had died, and over 200 residents were displaced by the tornadoes, which wreaked havoc across three counties. Some areas in the north were also flooded, with reports of people stranded by rising waters.
One tragic incident occurred in Covington County, where a resident witnessed a tornado tearing down trees and power lines, her life forever changed by the devastation. Meanwhile, in Arkansas, health officials confirmed three fatalities related to the storms.
Wildfires and dust storms added to the destruction, particularly in Oklahoma and Texas, with officials warning of continued fire risks in the coming week. Over 130 fires were recorded across Oklahoma, with Governor Kevin Stitt lamenting the insufficient resources to battle fires amidst winds gusting up to 70 mph. “Nobody has enough resources to fight fires when the wind is blowing 70 mph,” remarked Terry Essary, fire chief of Stillwater.
In Oklahoma, wildfires and weather contributed to two fatalities, while in Kansas, a devastating pileup on the highway involved at least 50 vehicles due to dust storms, resulting in eight deaths. Additionally, three deaths occurred in car crashes in Amarillo, located in the Texas Panhandle.
This intense weather event highlights not only the immediate impact on communities but also the ongoing challenges of emergency preparedness in the face of extreme climate phenomena.
