At least 31 people have died in the United States (US) after deadly tornadoes tore through several south-eastern states, flipping cars and flattening homes.
Gatekeepers News reports that Missouri bore a heavy toll with 12 deaths, while Kansas reported at least eight fatalities after a dust storm triggered a multi-vehicle crash involving more than 55 cars.
According to tracker PowerOutage; over 170,000 properties were on Saturday evening, left without power across five states including Michigan Missouri, and Illinois.
Tornado watches have been issued across eastern Louisiana, western Georgia, central Tennessee, and the western Florida Panhandle, as further severe weather is expected in the region.
Flash flooding and flood warnings have also been issued in central Mississippi, eastern Louisiana, and western Tennessee; as well as parts of Alabama and Arkansas
The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned that these flash floods could prove deadly.
The NWS warned of “multiple intense to violent long-track tornadoes” in those areas, describing the situation as “particularly dangerous”.
The meteorological agency said,” If you live in these areas, get to the sturdiest structure you have access to and remain in place until the storms pass.”
Mike Kehoe, Governor of Missouri, said the state had been “devastated by severe storms and tornadoes, leaving homes destroyed and lives lost.”
Missouri’s emergency management agency revealed that initial reports indicated 19 tornadoes had struck 25 counties so far.
In Arkansas, three deaths and 29 injuries have been recorded, prompting Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders to declare a state of emergency. Similarly, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has also declared a state of emergency, while Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt confirmed one fatality in the state.
In Texas, a dust storm on Friday night led to a major pile-up involving an estimated 38 vehicles, causing three deaths.
The destructive storms fuelled more than 100 wildfires in several central states and overturned multiple semi-trailer trucks, CBS reports.
The severe storms have sparked over 100 wildfires in several central states and overturned multiple semi-trailer trucks. In Oklahoma, the 840 Road Fire has already burned 27,500 acres and remains 0% contained.
This prompted Oklahoma Forestry Service to issue a “red flag” warning for the state’s panhandle due to severe fire danger.
