The death toll from a severe storm system that created more than 50 tornadoes in late March and early April reached 32 as of Monday, with more extreme weather expected into April.
The storm systems developed Friday, cultivating conditions for more than 50 tornadoes to strike across at least seven states within the following two days, according to CNN. At least five people were killed in Arkansas where a tornado ripped a line of destruction through the city of Wynne, and another hit the northern region of Little Rock.
Two children and an adult were found dead Saturday in Memphis, Tennessee, where heavy winds knocked trees into several homes, CNN reported. Nine others were killed in McNairy County as the storm crossed the entire jurisdiction. Further details on the exact death toll in Tennessee suggested three additional people were killed in weather-related events, the New York Post noted.
New video – Inside the EF3 tornado next to the fire station at Breckenridge and N. Shackleford in west Little Rock. Mike Bennett and his friend were outside and ran for safety. pic.twitter.com/marQHhrwYg
— Todd Yakoubian (@KATVToddYak) April 2, 2023
Five deaths were reported in Indiana, and four people were killed in Illinois. One of the deaths in Illinois is believed to be from the Apollo Theater collapse, CNN noted. Deaths were also reported in Delaware, Mississippi, and Alabama, along with countless injured as homes and businesses were destroyed. (RELATED: Check Out The National Weather Service’s Amazing Word Gymnastics Over California Drought Questions)
A tornado watch was issued by the National Weather Service in the late hours of Sunday night and into Monday morning for Louisiana and Texas. A “major winter storm” is expected throughout the coming week, bringing heavy snow and blizzard conditions to the Plains and Upper Midwest, NWS noted, warning everyone to prepare as soon as possible.