Violent storms kill 3, devastate South, Midwest

A powerful storm system swept through the central U.S., resulting in severe thunderstorms and multiple tornadoes that left at least three people dead and caused extensive damage across several states including Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri, and Kentucky. The storms prompted dozens of tornado warnings and flash flood alerts, with forecasters warning that the threat of life-threatening flash flooding will persist through Saturday. Significant material damage has been reported, including collapsed structures and widespread power outages affecting hundreds of thousands of homes. The National Weather Service described the rainfall expected over the coming days as potentially historic, with some areas anticipating over a foot of rain. More than 90 million people remain at risk as the severe weather continues to evolve. Officials are still assessing the full impact of the storm, as recovery efforts and emergency responses are underway in the hardest-hit areas.