At least 29 deaths have been reported as strong storms and tornadoes swept across the southern and midwestern United States this weekend, amid severe weather forecasts for the remainder of Sunday.
Since the beginning of the tornado outbreak, more than 50 reports have been generated in at least seven states, where the ferocious passage of this natural phenomenon crushed businesses, houses, ripped off the roofs of buildings and launched vehicles into the air.
Four people died in Wynne, Arkansas, Mayor Jennifer Hobbs confirmed to CNN on Sunday.
“We are on our own, we need all the help we can get to help these families get back on their feet,” said Mayor Hobbs.
Devastation in Tennessee and Indiana
Likewise, more deaths have been confirmed in Arkansas, Indiana and Tennessee, the latter state received a report of 12 deaths this Sunday after confirming three deaths in Memphis.
Another nine were reported in McNairy County, Tennessee, as announced by its mayor, Larry Smith, to the aforementioned medium.
On the other hand, in Indiana five deaths were reported: three near Sullivan, according to state police, while there were two more deaths at a campsite in McCormick’s Creek State Park, in Owen County, the Department of Natural Resources said.
Illinois, Alabama and Mississippi are severe damage and increase in deaths
There were four more deaths in Illinois, including the person who died after the roof of the Apollo Theater collapsed while more than 200 people were at a concert. Three other people died in Crawford County after a residential structure fell, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency said.
A report of a death was also received in North Little Rock, Arkansas; Madison County, Alabama; and Pontotoc County, Mississippi.
The outbreak of tornadoes in the southern and midwestern United States comes a week after a tornado-spawning storm ripped through the Southeast, killing 26 others and destroying major areas of Rolling Fork, Mississippi.
With information from CNN