Tornadoes and Severe Storms Devastate The Southern States, Move Eastward

Ravaged Four States

Devastating storms swept through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kentucky, resulting in at least 23 fatalities, injuring hundreds, and leaving a path of destruction. Homes were obliterated, and a truck stop where dozens had sought refuge in a restroom was destroyed.

Over the weekend, a series of severe storms and tornadoes wreaked havoc across the southern United States, resulting in over 22 fatalities in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kentucky. As these storms progress eastward, they are threatening to disrupt Memorial Day plans along the East Coast.

Kentucky Storms Claim Fifth Victim

⚠️🇺🇸Storm chasers were able to get drone footage as the tornado formed and hit Kentucky last night Dawson Springs area.#Dawson Springs tornado footage from WXChasing⚡️👎 pic.twitter.com/4bh0J6Gqds

— Todd Paron🇺🇸🇬🇷🎧👽 (@tparon) May 27, 2024

A fifth individual has succumbed to the severe weather that swept through Kentucky on Sunday night, Governor Andy Beshear confirmed. In a social media statement on Monday, Governor Beshear announced, “I’m sad to share we have another reported death as a result of yesterday’s storms.” The deceased, a 54-year-old man from Caldwell County, suffered a heart attack while clearing fallen trees. “His loved ones are in our prayers during this difficult time,” Beshear added. The total number of fatalities across the country due to this weekend’s severe weather has now reached at least 23.

Fatal Tree Fall in Alabama

Tornado Damage in Dale County Alabama near the town of Echo. #alwx #tornado #severeweather #dji #tornadodamage pic.twitter.com/VKSsLblYav

— Michael Gordon (@MichaelGordonWX) March 9, 2024

In Mountain Brook, Alabama, a large tree fell onto a residential building, resulting in one fatality, according to local authorities. The Mountain Brook Fire Department reported that they, along with the Mountain Brook Police Department and Homewood Fire Department, responded to the incident on Montevallo Road near Petticoat Lane early Monday morning. The structure sustained heavy damage, leading to the tragic death. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and neighbors,” the fire department said in a Facebook post. Central Alabama was under a severe thunderstorm watch through 10 a.m. ET Monday, with wind gusts reaching up to 70 miles per hour and large hail. This incident marks the 22nd weather-related fatality in the U.S. since Saturday evening.

Tornado Watch Issued for Washington, DC, and Baltimore

The Storm Prediction Center has issued a tornado watch for Washington, DC, parts of North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland, including Baltimore. The watch, which is in effect for over 16 million people, remains active until 11 p.m. EDT Monday. According to the SPC, “a couple of tornadoes are possible along with damaging wind gusts to 70 mph and hail up to the size of ping pong balls.” They further warned, “Damaging winds are expected to be the most common risk, but some hail is possible, and a moist environment and strong atmospheric winds will also support a tornado risk.” Additionally, any storms could bring heavy rainfall.

The severe weather continues to pose significant risks as it moves eastward, and residents in the affected areas are urged to stay alert and take necessary precautions.

A tornado watch has been issued for parts of District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia until 11 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/uA6vtEotuA

— NWS Tornado (@NWStornado) May 27, 2024

Biden Communicates with Governors Affected by Weekend Storms, White House Reports

President Joe Biden Connects with Governors of Storm-Hit States

On Monday, President Joe Biden reached out to the governors of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas to discuss the severe storms that wreaked havoc across their states over the weekend, the White House announced.

Presidential Call to Impacted States

Following the devastating tornadoes that swept through the Southern Plains, Biden had phone conversations with Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott. According to a White House statement, “He expressed his condolences for the lives lost in each state.” The statement also noted that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is actively conducting damage assessments in coordination with state and local officials. Biden emphasized that federal support will be available as needed, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to assist in the recovery efforts.

CNN previously reported that Sunday was marked by the highest number of severe weather incidents this year, as a massive storm system swept across the eastern United States. Data from the Storm Prediction Center indicated at least 632 preliminary reports of severe weather spanning from Wyoming to New Hampshire. This surpasses the previous high of 565 reports on May 8.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch for the Northeast

The Storm Prediction Center issued a severe thunderstorm watch on Monday afternoon for parts of New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, affecting over 30 million people until 9:00 p.m. EDT. Major cities such as New York City, Philadelphia, and Newark are included in this list. The primary threats associated with these storms are damaging wind gusts up to 65 mph, hail, and potential tornadoes.

Residents in the affected areas are advised to stay alert and take necessary precautions as the severe weather continues to pose significant risks.

Weekend’s Rare Tornado Emergencies Highlight Severe Weather Impact

Unprecedented Tornado Emergencies

Over the weekend, five rare tornado emergencies were declared by the National Weather Service (NWS), underscoring the severity of the storms that swept through the United States. These emergencies, the highest level of tornado warnings, are issued when tornadoes pose catastrophic risks to life and property, particularly in populated areas. In the past 25 years, nearly 70,000 tornado warnings have been issued, but only around 300 have reached the level of a tornado emergency, according to the Iowa Environmental Mesonet.

Significant Tornado Activity in 2024

#Breaking #Tornado #kentucky
🚨BREAKING: To put in Perspective just how many tornados are active in Kentucky right now here is an image of the radar showing current Tornados that have been reported. Stay safe pic.twitter.com/P4Q1E93U6T

— The Breaking Report (@TheBreakingRprt) May 27, 2024

This year alone, there have been 14 tornado emergencies in the US, including the five that occurred since Friday — one in Texas and four in Kentucky. On average, about a dozen such emergencies occur annually, but this year’s activity highlights an unusually severe season.

Record-Breaking Tornado Warnings

On Sunday, four tornado emergencies were declared in Kentucky. These emergencies were part of over 100 tornado warnings issued by the NWS that day. Sunday was the sixth day in 2024 with 100 or more tornado warnings, marking the second-highest number on record for a single year, trailing only 2011, which had nine such days.

Kentucky’s Response to Severe Weather

In response to the severe weather and tornadoes, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a statewide emergency to ensure resources are available for recovery efforts. Additionally, 14 counties and five cities within Kentucky issued their own emergency declarations. During a news conference, Beshear reported that 174,586 customers were without power, with crews working tirelessly to restore it. While power in larger cities was expected to be restored quickly, western Kentucky faced delays due to significant infrastructure damage.

National Guard and Recovery Efforts

The National Guard has deployed six teams to assist the Division of Forestry in two counties as recovery efforts commence. At the peak of the storm, power outages affected 215,144 Kentucky customers.

Fatalities and Ongoing Challenges

The severe weather claimed the lives of at least four people in Kentucky, according to Governor Beshear. The victims included:

• A 67-year-old woman in Mercer County
• A 62-year-old woman in Hardin County
• A 48-year-old woman in Hopkins County
• A 34-year-old man in Jefferson County

A fifth individual remains in critical condition. These fatalities bring the nationwide death toll from the Memorial Day weekend storms to at least 21.

Governor’s Statement and Call for Support

Governor Beshear expressed his condolences, stating, “Sadly, we can confirm that we have lost at least four Kentuckians from last night’s storm.” He called on the community to support the grieving families, emphasizing the need for collective effort in the days, weeks, and years to come.

Daylight Reveals the Tornado’s Destruction in Kentucky

⚠️🇺🇸Major storm damage from last nights tornado that ripped through Charleston, Kentucky

Drone footage from this morning shows how bad the storm was in certain areas destroying homes.#Kentucky storms from LSM⚠️👎 pic.twitter.com/oF7booeR7u

— Todd Paron🇺🇸🇬🇷🎧👽 (@tparon) May 27, 2024

New footage from southwestern Kentucky showcases the extensive devastation left by a tornado that struck Charleston. The aerial video reveals cars strewn among debris that once formed houses, with only basements remaining in some structures.

Tornado Emergency Declared

On Sunday evening, a rare tornado emergency was issued for the area, warning of a “large and destructive tornado” and urging residents to take immediate action. “This is a particularly dangerous situation. Take cover now!” the National Weather Service (NWS) in Paducah, Kentucky, alerted.

Damage Assessment and State Response

Survey crews from the NWS are set to visit the area to determine the tornado’s strength. Early Monday morning, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency in response to the severe weather. At least four people have lost their lives due to the storm.

Governor’s Update on Severe Weather Impact

Governor Beshear addressed the public in a news conference, highlighting the severe weather’s impact on the state. The NWS office in Paducah has deployed at least two storm survey teams to assess the damage.

Ongoing Disruptions

The severe weather, accompanied by intense heat in some states, continues to disrupt plans and cause power outages over the Memorial Day weekend, affecting millions of people facing severe weather threats.