Authorities in four US states are on high alert for new tornado and storm threats, following devastation in Little Rock, Arkansas, that left nearly 30 people dead.
According to the National Weather Service, the most delicate situation could be in Ohio, Tennessee, Iowa and Illinois.
The entity indicated that for this Holy Week strong storms are coming in the Mississippi Valley and in the central west region of the country.
Likewise, he indicated that Tornadoes, hail and damaging wind gusts could occur, For this reason, they asked the inhabitants of these areas to remain on alert and follow the recommendations of the meteorological authorities.
“A major winter storm is expected in the next several days, from the central Rocky Mountains to the northern Plains and the Upper Midwest, which It will bring widespread snow and blizzard conditions.” he pointed.
Likewise, he indicated that “A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Louisiana and Texas.”
The strong storms and tornadoes that hit the United States over the weekend raised the death toll to 29, in addition to leaving dozens injured, according to the latest balances from local authorities.
Two children and one adult died in Memphis, Tennessee, due to trees falling on their homes, indicated on Sunday at AFP local police, bringing the death toll in this southern state to 12.
With this, the balance of deaths in the country rose from 26 to 29.
Scenes of devastation were left in the path of the tornado through Tennessee, where twisted trees and leveled houses.
“I could feel the whole house shaking,” said Janice Pieterick, whose home saw glass doors and windows explode as the tornado ripped through Lewis County. “We all huddled together,” she recounted.
These deaths are added to those registered in the states of Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama, in the south, and in Indiana and Illinois in the American Midwest, as well as Delaware in the east.
“We are working closely with the state of Indiana and other affected states as they assess the damage and stand ready to respond to any additional requests for federal assistance,” US President Joe Biden said Sunday after expressing his support for the victims and their supporters. families.
Multiple tornadoes, some of exceptional size and power, tore through parts of the state of Arkansas. At least five people died there, according to the governor, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who had declared a general state of emergency and mobilized the National Guard.
The capital Little Rock was hit hard. Its inhabitants woke up last Saturday to a bleak picture of overturned cars, huge trees uprooted from the ground, broken telephone lines and destroyed houses.
“We know that many people had to be displaced and are seeking refuge,” said Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr.
In neighboring Mississippi (South), where a tornado last week left 25 dead, emergency management services also reported one death and several injuries in Pontotoc County, south of Memphis.
Alabama recorded the death of an elderly person when his home was destroyed by a tornado, iHuntsville authorities said.
In the state of Illinois (central-eastern United States) severe storms also caused death and serious damage.
In the early hours of Saturday, the city of Belvidere was shaken by a powerful tornado that caused the roof and part of the facade of the Apollo Theater to collapse, in the middle of a concert by a band heavy metal.
Belvidere Fire Chief Shawn Schadle confirmed one death and 28 injuries. five with serious injuries.
In Crawford County, three people died from a house collapse, Illinois Emergency Management Agency spokesman Kevin Sur said.
In Delaware, one person died from the collapse of “a structure” in Sussex County, according to authorities.
Tornadoes, a weather phenomenon as impressive as it is difficult to predict, are common in the United States, especially in the center and south.
A week ago, a tornado ripped through Mississippi, killing 25 people and causing extensive property damage.
In December 2021, around 80 people were killed by tornadoes in Kentucky.
* With information from AFP