22 people killed in US as tornadoes strike over the weekend, with potential for more storms ahead

A possible tornado wreaked havoc in Pennsylvania, damaging a school and several homes, amidst a series of powerful storms that swept through the U.S. over the Memorial Day weekend, claiming the lives of at least 22 individuals. The destructive storm caused no injuries but left a trail of roof damage to the high school and approximately six homes in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, prompting the cancellation of school in the district on Tuesday.

The National Weather Service had issued a tornado warning for the area and planned to survey the storm damage on Tuesday morning. Images of funnel clouds circulated on social media, capturing the intensity of the storm’s impact.

Prior to hitting Pennsylvania, the deadly storms had already caused fatalities in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kentucky. The death toll included seven individuals in Cooke County, Texas, eight in Arkansas, and two in Mayes County, Oklahoma. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear reported five deaths in his state and highlighted the widespread power outages affecting over 200,000 homes and businesses in several states.

Forecasters warned of continued severe weather risks in Texas and Oklahoma, with potential threats of damaging winds, large hail, and flash flooding. The recent spate of tornadoes and severe weather incidents across the nation underscores the impact of climate change on the intensity of storms, as highlighted by experts like Harold Brooks from the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Oklahoma.