Saturday, February 15, 2025
HomeEnvironment HeadlinesSevere weather claims at least 15 lives in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas

Severe weather claims at least 15 lives in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas

“Deadly Storms Leave Trail of Destruction in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas: At Least 15 Dead”

A deadly storm system wreaked havoc across Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, leaving at least 15 people dead and a trail of destruction in its wake. The powerful storms obliterated homes, destroyed a truck stop where dozens sought shelter, and caused widespread power outages in the region.

In Cooke County, Texas, near the Oklahoma border, seven deaths were reported after a tornado plowed through a rural area near a mobile home park. Two children, ages 2 and 5, were among the victims, along with three family members found dead in one home in the small community of Valley View.

Hugo Parra, who sought shelter in a truck stop restroom near Valley View, described the harrowing experience of the storm ripping off the building’s roof and walls. Multiple people were injured and taken to hospitals in Denton County, Texas, north of Dallas.

In Arkansas, at least five people were reported killed, with multiple others injured. The severe weather also resulted in two deaths in Mayes County, Oklahoma, and one death in Louisville, Kentucky, when a tree fell on a man.

The destruction continued a month of deadly severe weather in the central U.S., with tornadoes in Iowa last week leaving at least five people dead. The intense tornado season has been exacerbated by climate change, with April recording the second-highest number of tornadoes on record in the country.

The storm system prompted urgent warnings from meteorologists and authorities, urging residents to seek cover as the storms moved across the region overnight. The devastation left overturned cars, collapsed garages, and destroyed homes in its wake, with residents assessing the damage and helping those in need.

The severe weather knocked out power for hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses in the affected areas, with more than 100,000 customers without power in Arkansas and Missouri. Inaccessible roads and downed power lines led to closures in Oklahoma, with the storm system expected to move east over the Memorial Day weekend.

The Indianapolis 500 was delayed as a strong storm approached the area, forcing officials to evacuate race fans. More severe storms were predicted in Illinois, Missouri, and Kentucky, with the risk of severe weather moving into North Carolina and Virginia on Monday.

The Associated Press and contributing reporters covered the devastating impact of the storm system, highlighting the resilience of communities in the face of natural disasters.

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