Line of Severe Storms Kills Over a Dozen People in Arkansas and Missouri

Over a dozen people have been confirmed dead after a tornado outbreak across Missouri and Arkansas late Friday. The threat of severe weather is going to continue through the weekend, putting millions of Americans in the path of potentially dangerous conditions. Here is what you need to know.

Storms Kill at Least 14 People Late Friday

At least 14 people have been confirmed dead as a result of severe storms that roared through the central U.S. late Friday and into early Saturday. Several more people have been reported injured due to the rash of storms.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued multiple severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings after midnight for parts of Missouri, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, and Texas. The Midwest and the Mississippi Valley region field over 250 reports of severe weather during this time. Reports encompassed a variety of impacts, including large hail, high winds, and tornadoes.

The line of storms brought down trees and trapped residents in their homes. The worst of the damage is being reported in Missouri, Mississippi, Iowa, and Illinois. St. Louis County officials declared a state of emergency to free up more resources to deal with the aftermath.

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, six fatalities were reported at campgrounds located in Wayne County. Another fatality was reported in Jefferson County with more deaths confirmed in Bakersfield in Ozark County. One person lost their life in Butler County when a twister hit a mobile home near the community of Poploar Bluff. This town about 100 miles east of Bakersfield also reported significant damage to several structures. This includes damage to a kindergarten facility and a grocery store.

Moving into Arkansas, three deaths were reported in Independence County in the northern part of the state. This area also is reporting several injuries.

The storms wreaked havoc on the roadways with multiple vehicular accidents reported near Rolla, Missouri. Debris on the roads included downed power lines.

The town of Elliott, Mississippi, was also hit extensively by the tornadoes that spun up under the cover of darkness. Authorities were on the scene throughout the night combing through the debris and looking for survivors.