US authorities are dealing with a significant trail of destruction following a string of tornadoes that ripped through portions of the Midwest and South. The affected area covers a region home to over 100 million people and has resulted in the tragic loss of at least 37 lives. Missouri has been the hardest hit by these twisters, with a reported 12 fatalities and widespread devastation characterized by the destruction and severe damage of homes, schools, and businesses. Powerful winds in Texas and Kansas led to dust storms causing vehicle pile-ups and contributing to the overall death toll. The severe weather conditions also catalyzed nearly 150 wildfires in Oklahoma and have resulted in fatalities and destruction across Arkansas, Alabama, and Mississippi as well.

Flood advisories were issued for parts of Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, Kentucky, and North Carolina. The impact of these disasters has left more than 320,000 individuals without power, leading to the declaration of states of emergency in Arkansas, Georgia, and Oklahoma. In Missouri, Governor Mike Kehoe described the level of destruction as “staggering.” One tornado so severely destroyed a home in Butler County that it was “unrecognizable” as a dwelling, according to local coroner Jim Akers, who witnessed a scene where “the floor was upside down” and “we were walking on walls.”

A selection of images from the affected areas, including Missouri and Oklahoma, highlights the scale of the catastrophe. President Donald Trump has announced the deployment of the National Guard to Arkansas to assist with the response efforts and has urged the public to pray for those impacted by the storms. The affected communities are now facing the daunting task of recovery and rebuilding amidst the hazardous aftermath of nature’s fury.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gm6jjqzg2o