Severe weather claims lives across the South and Midwest

On March 15, 2025, severe weather, including tornadoes and strong winds, caused significant destruction across several states in the South and Midwest of the United States. Missouri and Arkansas were two of the hardest-hit states, where officials confirmed that at least 13 people lost their lives. In Missouri, the State Highway Patrol reported 10 fatalities attributed to the storms in four counties. Among the deceased, two individuals were killed by a tornado that struck Bakersfield, Missouri. In Arkansas, three individuals died due to the severe storms that injured 29 people across eight counties. Among the injuries reported, a particularly devastating incident occurred that resulted in a dust storm-related car crash involving 38 vehicles, underscoring the dangerous conditions caused by the severe weather. Emergency management officials in Arkansas warned that many residents should take precautions against remaining hazards, including debris and downed power lines left in the storms' aftermath. Meteorologists had been anticipating a significant outbreak of severe weather for days prior, advising residents in various states to be mindful of the risk for tornadoes and other severe storms. The severe weather outbreak began late Friday night, March 14, continuing into the early hours of Saturday morning. Wind gusts during the storm reached up to 80 miles per hour, creating conditions that were conducive to the development of tornadoes across a wide area, threatening millions of people. As the severe weather progressed, about 2 million people were placed under tornado watches, particularly in areas with high-risk outlooks, including Alabama and Mississippi. As of noon on Saturday, approximately 500,000 customers across nine states were without power due to the storms, which damaged thousands of power lines. With ongoing assessments of the damage and further adverse weather conditions expected through the weekend, officials urged residents in affected areas to stay vigilant and seek refuge in safe locations during severe weather.