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Storms and floods hit US South and Midwest -

A series of violent storms currently ripping through the US South and Midwest are expected to continue for days.

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Tornadoes leave a trail of destruction -

Tornadoes and violent winds have left a trail of destruction across a broad sweep of the country, from Texas to Pennsylvania. Pictured is the damage sustained in the aftermath of a storm in Owasso, Oklahoma, on April 2.

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Homes and businesses affected -

At least 20 tornadoes swept across several states on April 2, destroying homes and businesses and leaving in their wake several people dead and many others injured.

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"Generational flooding" -

The National Weather Service (NWS) is warning of "generational flooding" in the wake of the storms. Meanwhile, more severe thunderstorm alerts have been issued in parts of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Mississippi.

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What's causing this violent weather? -

Twisters tore through Tennessee and Kentucky on April 3, leaving homes and trailers flattened. Meteorologists are blaming the violent weather on daytime heating combined with an unstable atmosphere.

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Extreme conditions -

Unusually strong wind shear and abundant moisture streaming into the nation's midsection from the Gulf is also contributing to the extreme conditions.

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Widespread structural damage -

Rural areas near the city of Selmer in Tennessee suffered downed trees and heavy structural damage after tornadoes roared through the area.

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Storm-force winds -

At least five people were reportedly killed during the storm, which caused widespread destruction across the region.

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State of emergency -

Structural damage is visible at Christ Community Church after a tornado struck in Paducah, Kentucky. Authorities issued a state of emergency ahead of the storms across Kentucky.

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Flood warnings -

Some locations are forecast to see as much as 15 inches (38 cm) of rain over the coming days, which could cause rivers to burst their banks.

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Highest level of alert -

Tornado warnings—the highest level alert—remain in place in parts of Texas, Louisiana, and West Virginia, with tornado watches in parts of Arkansas, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

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Roads blocked -

Dozens of trees were toppled in the high winds, partially blocking roads and impeding access to more remote districts.

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Power cut -

Many communities have been left without power after powerlines were downed.

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Disaster zone -

Wind speeds up to 160 mph (241 km/h) were recorded in southwest Tennessee, where damage to homes was widespread.

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Treacherous situation -

Tornadoes and flash flooding in Arkansas and Kentucky scattered debris across a wide area and made conditions treacherous.

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Buildings ripped apart -

In Carmel, Indiana, office buildings were ripped apart after being battered by a tornado and heavy rain on April 3. Communities were warned of life-threatening flooding in the storm's aftermath.

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Danger to life -

Part of a warehouse in Brownsburg, Indiana, collapsed in the storm, temporarily trapping at least one person inside.

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Emergency repairs -

An employee from the Indiana Restoration and Cleaning Company is pictured making temporary repairs to a storm-damaged building in Carmel, Indiana.

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Economic consequences -

A tornado that hit the town of Nevada, Missouri, caused major damage to several businesses. Power poles were snapped and several (empty) train cars were flipped onto their sides.

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At the mercy of the weather -

According to the Oklahoma-based Storm Prediction Center, more than 90 million people were at some risk of severe weather in a huge part of the nation, stretching from Texas to Minnesota and Maine.

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School's out! -

Widespread damage has left several schools closed, with classes suspended and students sent home.

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More of the same -

This latest round of inclement weather follows an equally destructive March, during which a string of 90 tornadoes also wreaked havoc across the South and Midwest. Woodland outside Tylertown, Mississippi, was felled by high winds, to leave it looking like a petrified forest.

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Destructive nature -

The tornadoes claimed dozens of lives and left hundreds homeless and destitute.

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Expensive consequences -

In Calera, Alabama, a trailer park was torn apart, causing thousands of dollars-worth of damage.

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Personal effects -

The March storms left two people dead in Alabama and over 50 counties in the state reporting substantial damage.

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In the path of destruction -

On March 6, a tornado with 90 mph (144 km/h) winds touched down in Unionville, North Carolina, near a school. Fortunately, no lives were lost.

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Incredible power -

The storm system responsible for the deadly series of tornadoes in March 2025 has been described as a "historic outbreak." It's pictured here centered over Kansas on March 14.

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Impact on society -

A total of 117 tornadoes were confirmed, with at least 43 people declared dead from both tornado-related and non-tornado-related impacts across eight states.

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Historic event -

April's storms are on course to be equally historic. The destruction is what the NWS is describing as part of a potent storm system that brings with it hail, rain, damaging winds, and more.

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"Once in a generation" -

"It's an event that happens once in a generation to once in a lifetime,” the National Weather Service said.

Sources: (Associated Press) (Reuters) (ABC) (BBC) 

See also: How are tornadoes formed?

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