Deadly Memorial Day Storms: Severe Weather System Moves Eastward in US, Claiming 20 Lives

A series of devastating storms wreaked havoc across the central and southern U.S. over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, claiming the lives of at least 22 people and leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. The destructive storms resulted in fatalities in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kentucky, with the death toll including seven deaths in Cooke County, Texas, and eight deaths across Arkansas.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency as five people lost their lives in his state, including a man who suffered a heart attack while clearing fallen trees. The town of Charleston, Kentucky, was hit particularly hard, with residents facing shattered homes and power outages after a tornado touched down for 40 miles.

The severe weather also caused chaos in other states, with two deaths reported in Mayes County, Oklahoma, and a tornado watch issued from North Carolina to Maryland. The widespread power outages affected over 400,000 customers across the eastern U.S., with Kentucky bearing a significant portion of the impact.

President Joe Biden expressed his condolences to the affected families and assured that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is on the ground assessing the damage. The recent spate of tornadoes and severe weather events across the nation has raised concerns about the impact of climate change on the frequency and intensity of storms. As the nation grapples with the aftermath of these disasters, communities are coming together to support each other in the face of adversity.