OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Severe weather swept through the Midwest and South on Saturday, following a powerful storm that caused widespread damage. One day earlier, strong winds had taken their toll, uprooting trees, causing dust storms, and sparking over 100 wildfires.
On Friday, tornadoes were reported in Missouri, affecting an area with over 100 million residents. Winds reached up to 80 mph, creating a dangerous situation from the Canadian border down to Texas. In the northern states, blizzard conditions loomed, while warmer southern states faced wildfire threats.
The National Weather Service alerted communities in Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, and Texas about impending tornadoes and severe thunderstorms.
Tragically, three individuals lost their lives in a dust storm in Texas, highlighting the fury of these conditions. Sgt. Cindy Barkley from Texas’s public safety department described the visibility as “nightmarish,” making it almost impossible to assess the situation until the dust settled.
In Oklahoma, community evacuations took place as firefighting teams battled with over 130 reported wildfires. The conditions were so fierce that even truckers were on edge. Charles Daniel, a truck driver, noted the treacherous mix of dust and strong winds.
Forecasters predicted that the extreme weather would continue into the weekend. Mississippi and Alabama were particularly at risk for tornadoes and damaging winds. Heavy rainfall could trigger flash flooding on the East Coast by Sunday.
Experts like Bill Bunting from the National Weather Service pointed out that while March can bring severe weather, the scale and intensity of this storm cluster were exceptional. He mentioned how it was producing substantial impacts across a vast area.
On the tornado front, at least five twisters were identified in Missouri on Friday, one near Saint Louis that resulted in property damage. The Storm Prediction Center warned of fast-moving storms capable of producing not just tornadoes but large hail and hurricane-force winds. Areas at high risk included Jackson and Hattiesburg in Mississippi and Birmingham and Tuscaloosa in Alabama.
While many prepared for tornadoes, others faced rapidly spreading wildfires fueled by dry air and strong winds. In Roberts County, Texas, a fire expanded from one square mile to an estimated 32.8 square miles before firefighting efforts managed to halt its progress. These wildfires also caused power outages for over 300,000 customers across several states.
In the Northern Plains, blizzard warnings were in effect as well, with snow accumulations expected to reach up to a foot in parts of Minnesota and South Dakota. Wind gusts could lead to hazardous whiteout conditions.
Looking ahead, weather patterns heavily influenced by climate change have caused experts to consider how such extreme weather events could become more common. Data shows that tornado occurrences in March have increased over the last few decades, reflecting broader shifts in weather patterns nationally.
This blend of conditions makes it essential for communities to remain vigilant and prepared as storms become more severe with changing climate realities.
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Source linkTexas, Tornadoes, Storms, Wildfires, Oklahoma, Missouri, Weather, Automotive accidents, General news, U.S. news, Bill Bunting, Charles Daniel, Cindy Barkley, Climate and environment, Climate
