Deadly Storm System Kills 20 Across U.S.

A devastating storm system swept across the central and southern United States over the weekend, resulting in at least 20 fatalities and causing widespread destruction. Missouri was the hardest hit, reporting 12 storm-related deaths, followed by Arkansas with three confirmed deaths and 29 injured. In Mississippi, three fatalities were confirmed in Walthall County, where tornadoes demolished homes and uprooted trees. The severe weather included tornadoes, high winds, and dust storms, impacting states such as Texas, Oklahoma, and Illinois, and leading to significant power outages affecting hundreds of thousands of residents. Authorities in multiple states have declared states of emergency to expedite relief efforts, with severe weather warnings and tornado watches continuing into the weekend as the storm system moves eastward. The National Weather Service has warned of potentially violent tornadoes in areas including Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia, as cleanup and rescue operations continue in the hardest-hit regions.