Deadly Storms Wreak Havoc Across Central U.S. – At Least 14 Killed

Deadly Tornadoes Leave Trail of Destruction Across Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, Killing at Least 14

A series of powerful storms ripped through Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas on Sunday, leaving at least 14 people dead and a wide trail of destruction in their wake. The devastating tornadoes obliterated homes, destroyed a truck stop where dozens sought shelter, and created chaos across the central U.S.

In Cooke County, Texas, near the Oklahoma border, seven deaths were reported as a tornado plowed through a rural area near a mobile home park. The devastation was severe, with homes destroyed and families shattered. Two children, ages 2 and 5, were among the victims, highlighting the tragic toll of the storms.

Hugo Parra, a survivor who sought shelter in a bathroom at a truck stop near Valley View, described the terrifying experience as the storm ripped off the roof and walls of the building. Multiple people were injured and transported to hospitals in Denton County, Texas, further highlighting the destructive power of the storms.

In Arkansas, at least five people were reported killed, with multiple others injured and emergency workers still conducting search and rescue operations. The destruction continued a grim month of deadly severe weather in the nation’s midsection, with tornadoes in Iowa earlier in the week claiming at least five lives and leaving dozens injured.

The severe weather also caused widespread power outages, with hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses left without power in Arkansas, Missouri, Texas, and Oklahoma. Inaccessible roads and downed power lines further complicated recovery efforts in some areas, including the town of Claremore, Oklahoma, which was shut down due to the damage.

As the system causing the severe weather moves east over the Memorial Day weekend, more severe storms are predicted in Illinois, Missouri, and Kentucky, with the risk of severe weather extending into North Carolina and Virginia on Monday. The heartbreaking toll of the deadly tornadoes serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of natural disasters on communities across the country.