US Tornadoes: 33 Dead, Dozens Injured, and Massive Property Damage

At least 33 people have tragically lost their lives, with dozens more injured due to severe storms and tornadoes that struck the central and southern United States in recent hours. Authorities in Missouri reported ’12 deaths linked to the tornadoes’ via a post on the X platform, adding that they are working tirelessly to assist those in need and assess the damage caused in affected areas. Approximately 250,000 households were left without electricity Saturday afternoon (March 15, 2025). Six people lost their lives in Wayne County, three in Ozark County, one in Butler County, one in St. Louis County, and one in Jefferson County, authorities clarified, citing tornadoes, storms, and hail. Governor Mike Kich had declared the state under an emergency status ahead of the anticipated tornadoes. Images from the affected regions show destroyed homes and overturned vehicles on the streets. “I’ve never experienced anything so terrifying. Everything happened so fast; it felt like our eardrums would burst. I have a two-year-old child, and I’m almost certain we’ve lost our home and cars,” said Alicia Wilson, a resident of Villa Ridge, to the KSDK television network. The confirmed death toll related to the storms in each state is as follows: Missouri: 12, Kansas: 8, Arkansas: 3, Mississippi: 6, Texas: 3, Oklahoma: 1. In Kansas, at least eight people died in traffic accidents attributed to ‘severe dust storms’ which significantly reduced visibility, according to law enforcement officials. Similar weather conditions led to four fatalities in Texas. Three deaths and 29 injuries are the current tally from the storms in Arkansas, where Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders informed U.S. President Donald Trump about the situation. In Missouri, six people died, and three are missing, Governor Tate Reeves announced. ‘Please pray for those who lost their lives, for those who are missing, and for those leading search efforts, for those being treated and their families,’ Reeves said in an X post. Also, three people are missing—two from Covington County and one from Walthall County, according to Reeves. Another 28 were injured statewide—15 in Covington County, one in Jefferson Davis County, two in Pike County, and 10 in Walthall County, authorities stated. Preliminary estimates suggest 21 counties in the state suffered storm damage, Reeves said. Assessments of the damages are ongoing. The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned that tornadoes are expected to hit Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee in the coming hours.