storm
At least 15 dead after storms in the USA
In the US state of Oklahoma, one of the storms reached at least level three out of five according to preliminary estimates. Photo
© Mike Simons/Tulsa World via AP/dpa
On Memorial Day Weekend, many people in the USA actually meet up to swim and have a barbecue. This year, tornadoes are sweeping across several states – with dire consequences.
Severe storms have hit the south and midwest of the USA and claimed the lives of at least 15 people. Rescue workers and police searched for possible victims in the rubble in several places and cared for dozens of injured people. Deaths were reported in the states of Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kentucky, US media reported.
Tornadoes were reported in many places on Sunday night. Media reported hailstones that were about the size of tennis balls. In Oklahoma, one of the storms reached at least level three out of five according to preliminary estimates – tornadoes of this classification can reach speeds of up to 265 kilometers per hour.
Many deaths especially in Texas
Local authorities and eyewitnesses shared photos and videos of the destruction on social media. The storms caused heavy semi-trailers and their loads to tip over, leveled buildings and tore down power lines. Nearly half a million people in nine states were without power early Sunday evening, according to CNN.
The Texas district of Cooke County near Dallas was hit particularly hard. As various media reported, citing the sheriff responsible, a storm first destroyed a rest stop on a highway and then raged through a trailer park. Seven people died, including four children. There were more than 100 injuries throughout Texas, as the state’s governor, Greg Abbott, said at a press conference. Hundreds of houses were destroyed.
The extent of the destruction only slowly became apparent on Sunday evening. A state of emergency was declared in several regions.
Storm not over yet
Monday is a public holiday in the USA – the long “Memorial Day Weekend” will unofficially usher in summer with the opening of the swimming season. Many Americans will meet up to swim and have a barbecue. In some places, the celebrations will probably be cancelled due to the risk of severe weather. The National Weather Service has issued further severe weather and tornado warnings for several states. In southern Texas, heat warnings were also in effect due to perceived temperatures of over 45 degrees.
Experts attribute the increase in natural disasters in the USA – storms, floods and forest fires – to the effects of climate change. According to the US weather service, the number of tornadoes has increased many times over in recent years.