The FOX Forecast Center is continuing to monitor a multiday tornado outbreak that left nearly two dozen people dead as powerful storms swept across several states over the weekend. FOX Weather Meteorologists Kendall Smith, Michael Estime and Nick Kosir break down the latest.
Fast Facts:
- Missouri, Mississippi and Arkansas all report deaths from powerful tornadoes
- Multiday severe weather outbreak to come to an end Sunday after impacting East Coast
- Dust storm leaves several dead in Texas, Kansas
A powerful storm system that has been sweeping across the central and eastern U.S. has produced violent tornadoes, a dust storm, raging wildfires and even blizzard conditions, tragically leaving more than 30 people dead in its path.
Sunday marks the third and final day of the severe weather outbreak portion of the storm system, as the heavily populated Interstate 95 corridor from the Northeast to the Gulf Coast is at risk.
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Damage is seen in Elliot, Mississippi, on March 15, 2025, after a tornado hit. (Robert Ray)
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Damage is seen after a tornado ripped through the area of Tylertown, Mississippi, on March 15, 2025. (Montanaa Lane/Facebook)
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Three fatalities, 32 injured in Independence County, AR (@AR_Emergencies)
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Three fatalities, 32 injured in Independence County, AR (@AR_Emergencies)
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Three fatalities, 32 injured in Independence County, AR (@AR_Emergencies)
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A car lays on its side after being blown over by a tornado in Elliot, Mississippi, on March 15, 2025. (Robert Ray)
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Tornado damage in Kentwood, Louisiana on March 15, 2025. (Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office)
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The National Weather Service warned that the destructive tornado had been sighted just after 4 a.m. and issued a “Particularly Dangerous Situation” Tornado Warning for Oakland City as the storm approached. (Gibson County Sheriff’s Office)
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The National Weather Service warned that the destructive tornado had been sighted just after 4 a.m. and issued a “Particularly Dangerous Situation” Tornado Warning for Oakland City as the storm approached. (Gibson County Sheriff’s Office)
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The National Weather Service warned that the destructive tornado had been sighted just after 4 a.m. and issued a “Particularly Dangerous Situation” Tornado Warning for Oakland City as the storm approached. (Gibson County Sheriff’s Office)
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The National Weather Service warned that the destructive tornado had been sighted just after 4 a.m. and issued a “Particularly Dangerous Situation” Tornado Warning for Oakland City as the storm approached. (Gibson County Sheriff’s Office)
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The National Weather Service warned that the destructive tornado had been sighted just after 4 a.m. and issued a “Particularly Dangerous Situation” Tornado Warning for Oakland City as the storm approached. (Gibson County Sheriff’s Office)
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The National Weather Service warned that the destructive tornado had been sighted just after 4 a.m. and issued a “Particularly Dangerous Situation” Tornado Warning for Oakland City as the storm approached. (Gibson County Sheriff’s Office)
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The National Weather Service warned that the destructive tornado had been sighted just after 4 a.m. and issued a “Particularly Dangerous Situation” Tornado Warning for Oakland City as the storm approached. (Gibson County Sheriff’s Office)
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At least 14 people are dead in Missouri and Arkansas following a widespread and dangerous severe weather outbreak Friday evening after numerous tornadoes were spotted across multiple states, causing significant damage. (Missouri State Highway Patrol)
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Tornado damage in Cave City, Arkansas on March 15, 2025. (Kristen Lashley / X)
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Tornado damage in Cave City, Arkansas on March 15, 2025. (Kristen Lashley / X)
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Damage left after a tornado swept through Elliott, Mississippi on March 15, 2025. (Robert Ray)
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Damage left after a tornado swept through Elliott, Mississippi on March 15, 2025. (Robert Ray)
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Damage left after a tornado swept through Elliott, Mississippi on March 15, 2025. (Robert Ray)
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Damage left after a tornado swept through Elliott, Mississippi on March 15, 2025. (Robert Ray)
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Damage left after a tornado swept through Elliott, Mississippi on March 15, 2025. (Robert Ray)
Tornadoes leave over 20 dead in three states
At least 21 people are confirmed dead in three states due to the tornado outbreak that was sweeping across the Midwest and into the Southeast on Friday and Saturday.
Most of the destruction was found in southeastern Missouri, where officials confirmed at least a dozen deaths from severe weather and tornadoes. Six deaths were confirmed in Wayne County, three in Ozark County and two in Butler and Jefferson counties.
Tornado captured on video as it tore through Villa Ridge, Missouri on March 14, 2025.
(Chicago & Midwest Storm Chasers / FOX Weather)
St. Louis County police said a woman there was found dead near electrical lines in the backyard of her home.
A tornado in Villa Ridge, Missouri, outside of St. Louis, was captured on camera as it caused significant damage. According to storm chasers, the tornado’s winds caused numerous power flashes, several semi-trucks to flip, and various structures to be damaged.
Tornadoes were also reported in communities such as Rolla, Hartville and areas outside St. Louis.
In Arkansas, three fatalities were confirmed in Independence County, and 29 people were reported injured in eight counties in connection to a storm system that moved through the state overnight, the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management said.
“As you drive through this community, you see so many neighbors coming out, taking care of each other,” Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on Saturday. “The judge himself has been out clearing debris over the course of the last 24 hours.”
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said he has declared a state of emergency after tornadoes, and an earthquake, impacted his state over the weekend.
DEADLY SEVERE WEATHER OUTBREAK TARGETS MILLIONS ON EAST COAST FOR FINAL DAY
“Tragically, as of now, 6 deaths have been reported – one in Covington County, two in Jeff Davis County and three in Walthall County,” Reeves said Saturday night. “Also, as of now, three additional people are currently missing – two fro Covington County and one from Walthall County.”
Deadly dust storm slams Plains
Extreme wind kicked up dust across areas of Central Texas and the Panhandle on Friday, March 14, creating dangerous driving conditions.
Communities across the Southern Plains were also impacted by a deadly dust storm as the system was working its way across the central U.S.
On Friday, a combination of damaging winds, dust storms and brush fires created chaos across the region, destroying hundreds of homes and causing vehicle pileups.
HURRICANE-FORCE WIND GUSTS FUEL FAST-MOVING WILDFIRES
One of the deadliest crashes was reported along Interstate 70 near the Kansas-Colorado state line where a dust storm, which is believed to have dropped visibility to near zero, is being eyed as a contributor to the fatal crash. Troopers said at least 71 vehicles were involved in the incident, and at least eight people were killed as a result.
Kansas interstate crash
(Kansas Highway Patrol / FOX Weather)
It took first responders nearly a day to clear the mangled wreckage from the road and reopen travel lanes.
To the south, in Texas and Oklahoma, a similar situation unfolded.
Four people were killed and multiple people were injured in crashes across Oklahoma and Texas as a powerful dust storm fueled by 60-85 mph wind gusts dropped visibility to near zero along highways and interstates on Friday afternoon.
Several people were also injured, including two paramedics, after a multi-vehicle crash involved an ambulance amid the intense dust storm near Blackwell, Oklahoma.
Blizzard conditions blast Plains with whiteout conditions
Residents across the northern Plains and parts of the Midwest are facing a powerful winter storm that is unleashing strong winds, blowing snow and plummeting temperatures, potentially creating blizzard conditions and hazardous travel. FOX Weather Storm Specialist Mike Seidel is live in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, with the latest.
While many parts of the U.S. were preparing for severe weather, to the north, winter weather was a concern.
Residents across the northern Plains and parts of the Midwest faced the powerful winter storm that unleashed strong winds, blowing snow and plummeting temperatures, potentially creating blizzard conditions and hazardous travel.
The FOX Forecast Center said wind gusts up to 50-60 mph were expected from the Rockies and Great Plains to the western Great Lakes.