Powerful storm kills at least 16 in the US, leaves widespread devastation

Washington: At least 16 people have died as a powerful storm swept across several parts of the United States, causing severe damage and triggering evacuations.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said on Saturday that 10 people were killed in Missouri, while several others were injured. In Arkansas, officials reported three deaths in Independence County and 29 injuries across eight counties.

The Arkansas Department of Public Safety said 16 counties experienced damage to homes, businesses, power lines, and trees.

Three people were killed in car accidents during a dust storm in Amarillo, Texas Panhandle, on Friday, officials said. The storm system, which brought hurricane-force winds, moved eastward toward the Mississippi Valley and Deep South on Saturday.

Earlier, Missouri authorities said two adults were killed and several others injured in the Bakersfield area of Ozark County. In Butler County, Coroner Jim Akers said one person died when a storm destroyed a house. “It didn’t look like there was ever a house here,” Akers said, describing the scene where rescuers arrived. He added that a woman was rescued from the wreckage.

The massive storm system triggered severe dust storms and wildfires in over 100 locations. Winds reaching up to 130 km/h were forecast from the Canadian border to Texas, bringing blizzard conditions to the north and increasing wildfire risks in the south.

Sgt. Cindy Barclay of the Texas Department of Public Safety said three people died in a 38-car pileup during a dust storm in Amarillo on Friday. “I have never seen such a bad situation,” she said.

Arkansas Mayor Jones Anderson said five people were injured in Kew City, which has been placed under a state of emergency. He said power infrastructure was destroyed and will remain down for some time.

In Oklahoma, some communities were ordered to evacuate as more than 130 fires were reported across the state. The State Patrol said strong winds overturned several tractor-trailers, adding to the chaos.