WASHINGTON: A significant storm system that battered the south-central and eastern US with strong winds and tornadoes killed 18 people and injured scores, officials said Saturday.
The Tennessee emergency management department verified seven weather-related deaths to AFP.
There followed 11 deaths in southern Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Midwest Indiana and Illinois. Saturday’s storm system hit the US east coast, bringing thunderstorms, hail, and strong winds through Sunday.
The governor of Arkansas says at least five people were killed by multiple tornadoes on Friday, including one in Little Rock.
Dawn showed multiple homes smashed apart, cars overturned, electricity lines down, and trees uprooted.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders proclaimed a state of emergency and activated the national guard for recovery.
She said she spoke to President Joseph Biden, who pledged to expedite federal relief.
“Damage from east to west cut Wynne in half,” Mayor Jennifer Hobbs told CNN.
The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings for six other states, including Iowa and Mississippi, where a twister last week killed 25 people and caused major property damage.
The Apollo Theater in Belvidere, Illinois, collapsed during a heavy-metal concert due to inclement weather.
Broadcast images showed emergency personnel transporting injured concertgoers on stretchers, while social media footage showed waist-high rubble on the floor and a big hole in the ceiling.
Belvidere Fire Chief Shawn Schadle reported one death, 28 injuries, and five hospitalised critical injuries.
Local officials in Sullivan County, Indiana, reported three storm-related deaths.
Moreover, Emergency officials said Saturday that overnight tornadoes killed one in Pontotoc County, Mississippi, and one in Madison County, Alabama.
Afterward, Poweroutage.us reported over 600,000 homes without power Saturday.
While, Ohio and Pennsylvania saw the most disruptions Saturday afternoon as the storm moved northeast.
