Powerful storms have wreaked havoc in the central US, claiming the lives of at least 15 people, including two children, over the Memorial Day weekend. The states of Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas were hit hard by the severe weather, with homes destroyed and thousands left without power.
In Cooke County, Texas, near the Oklahoma border, seven fatalities were reported after a tornado tore through a rural area and a mobile home park on Saturday night. The devastation left behind was described as severe by Cooke County Sheriff Ray Sappington, with houses and businesses torn apart, mobile homes flipped, and trees and power lines knocked down.
In Oklahoma, storms also caused damage, injuring guests at an outdoor wedding. The AP Travel Center on Interstate 35 saw 60 to 80 people injured as they sought shelter from the storm. Semitrailers were overturned in Denton County, closer to Dallas, with multiple people taken to hospitals for treatment.
The impact of the storms extended to other states as well, with more than 470,000 people without power in areas stretching from Texas to Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky. The widespread damage and loss of life have left communities reeling, with search and rescue efforts ongoing in some areas.
The stories of survival are emerging, with residents recounting harrowing experiences of seeking shelter and riding out the storm. As the affected regions begin the process of recovery and rebuilding, the resilience and strength of the communities affected by the storms are being put to the test.