Oklahoma City (AP) — The threat of tornadoes has shifted eastward into the Mississippi Valley and Deep South as of Saturday, following a massive storm system that swept across the country. This storm system, which wreaked havoc on Friday, resulted in high winds that damaged numerous buildings, triggered dust storms leading to deadly accidents, and ignited over 100 wildfires across several central states.
On Friday, multiple tornadoes were reported in Missouri, contributing to the extreme weather conditions affecting an area inhabited by more than 100 million people. Wind gusts reaching up to 80 mph (130 kph) were forecasted to sweep from the Canadian border down to Texas, creating risks of blizzard conditions in the colder northern regions and increasing wildfire dangers in the warmer southern areas.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued numerous tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings early Saturday morning for regions in Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, and Texas. Tragically, three people lost their lives in car accidents during a dust storm in Amarillo County, Texas Panhandle. Sgt. Cindy Barkley of the state’s department of public safety reported that one major pileup involved an estimated 38 vehicles. “It’s the worst I’ve ever seen,” Barkley stated, describing the near-zero visibility as a nightmare.
In response to the escalating situation, evacuations were mandated in certain communities across Oklahoma, where over 130 wildfires were reported. The State Patrol noted that the strong winds had caused several tractor-trailers to topple. “This is terrible out here,” remarked Charles Daniel, a truck driver navigating a 48-foot (14.6-meter) trailer along Interstate 40 in western Oklahoma. “There’s a lot of sand and dirt in the air. I’m not pushing it over 55 mph. I’m scared it will blow over if I do.”
Forecasters predict that the severe storm threat will persist into the weekend, with a high likelihood of tornadoes and damaging winds expected on Saturday in Mississippi and Alabama. Furthermore, heavy rainfall may result in flash flooding along the East Coast on Sunday. Experts emphasize that such extreme weather events are not unusual in March, although the current situation is notable for its size and intensity. “What’s unique about this one is its large size and intensity,” explained Bill Bunting from the NWS’s Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma.
According to the weather service, at least five tornadoes were confirmed in Missouri on Friday, including one in the Saint Louis area. The storm caused significant damage to various structures, including a strip mall in Rolla, Missouri. The Storm Prediction Center warned that fast-moving storms could produce tornadoes and hail as large as baseballs, with the most significant threat stemming from straight-line winds that could approach hurricane force, with gusts of up to 100 mph (160 kph).
The NWS indicated that “potentially violent” tornadoes were anticipated Saturday across the central Gulf Coast and Deep South into the Tennessee Valley. Areas at high risk include parts of Mississippi, such as Jackson and Hattiesburg, and regions in Alabama, including Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. Severe storms and tornadoes were also forecasted for eastern Louisiana, western Georgia, central Tennessee, and the western Florida Panhandle.
The wildfires in the Southern Plains pose a significant threat of rapid spread due to warm, dry weather combined with strong winds. Evacuations were ordered on Friday for several communities in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and New Mexico. A wildfire in Roberts County, Texas, quickly expanded from less than a square mile to approximately 32.8 square miles (85 square kilometers), as reported by the Texas A&M University Forest Service. Fire crews managed to halt its advance by Friday evening.
Another fire, located about 60 miles (90 kilometers) south, grew to about 3.9 square miles (10 square kilometers) before firefighters were able to contain it. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management activated its emergency operations center due to several fast-moving fires that necessitated the evacuation of the town of Leedey and a rural area east of Norman. Firefighters were strategically positioned to respond swiftly to blazes, according to Andy James, the fire management chief for Oklahoma Forestry Services.
In addition to tornadoes and wildfires, the NWS has issued blizzard warnings for parts of far western Minnesota and far eastern South Dakota starting early Saturday. Snow accumulations between 3 to 6 inches (7.6 to 15.2 centimeters) are expected, with some areas possibly receiving up to a foot (30 centimeters) of snow. Winds gusting to 60 mph (97 kph) are predicted to create whiteout conditions.
As the situation unfolds, meteorologists, emergency services, and residents remain vigilant, prepared for the unpredictable and severe weather that March can bring.
