In a devastating turn of events, Coroner Jim Akers from Butler County described the scene of destruction where one man lost his life, referring to the area as a “debris field.” He noted, “The floor was upside down,” highlighting the extreme chaos, adding, “We were walking on walls.” This tragic event is part of a larger weather system that has wreaked havoc across several states.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves reported that six individuals died across three counties, with three more still missing as of late Saturday. As the storms advanced into Alabama, reports emerged of damaged homes and impassable roads. In Arkansas, where Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency, officials confirmed three fatalities.
In Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp also took precautionary measures by declaring a state of emergency in anticipation of the storm’s movement eastward. Early Sunday morning, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency utilized social media to share a tornado watch issued by the National Weather Service for parts of southeast Georgia. In response, Kemp expressed his condolences on social media, stating that his family was “praying for all those impacted by this storm system and those still in its path.” He assured that efforts would continue in collaboration with state and local officials to assess damage and respond to the needs of affected communities.
The severe weather system also led to dust storms that claimed nearly a dozen lives on Friday. In a tragic incident, eight individuals died in a pileup involving over 50 vehicles on a Kansas highway, as reported by the state highway patrol. Additionally, three fatalities were reported due to car accidents caused by a dust storm in Amarillo, Texas.
The extreme weather conditions are forecasted to affect over 100 million people across the region. Winds are expected to reach blizzard conditions in the northern areas while escalating wildfire risks in the warmer, drier southern regions. In Oklahoma, evacuations were mandated as over 130 fires were reported, resulting in nearly 300 homes being either damaged or destroyed. Governor Kevin Stitt announced at a Saturday news conference that approximately 266 square miles (689 square kilometers) had been engulfed in flames, sharing the personal loss of his own home on a ranch northeast of Oklahoma City.
To the north, the National Weather Service issued blizzard warnings for parts of far western Minnesota and eastern South Dakota, with snow accumulations expected to reach between 3 to 6 inches (7.6 to 15.2 centimeters), and in some areas, total snow could accumulate up to a foot (30 centimeters). Strong winds are anticipated to create whiteout conditions, further complicating travel and safety. Meteorologists note that such weather extremes are not uncommon in March.
As the night progressed, significant tornado activity continued, particularly in areas stretching from eastern Louisiana and Mississippi through Alabama and western Georgia. Witnesses like Bailey Dillon, 24, and her fiancé, Caleb Barnes, experienced the destruction firsthand in Tylertown, Mississippi. They observed a massive twister strike near Paradise Ranch RV Park, just half a mile (0.8 kilometers) away from their location. After the storm, they documented the catastrophic damage, including snapped trees, leveled buildings, and overturned vehicles.
“The amount of damage was catastrophic,” Dillon remarked, noting that numerous cabins, RVs, and campers were flipped over, with everything destroyed. Paradise Ranch confirmed via Facebook that all staff and guests were safe, but Dillon added that the devastation extended beyond the RV park, with homes and schools completely obliterated.
Images of the extreme weather circulated widely online, capturing the perilous conditions faced by many. In Rolla, Missouri, Tad Peters and his father, Richard Peters, found themselves in a precarious situation while fueling their pickup truck on Friday night. As tornado sirens blared, they witnessed other motorists fleeing the interstate. A chilling video captured Tad's reaction: “Whoa, is this coming? Oh, it’s here. It’s here. Look at all that debris. Ohhh. My God, we are in a torn ...” His father quickly rolled up the window as the storm closed in.
