Dallas, Texas – Severe storms tore through the central United States, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. At least 22 people lost their lives, and hundreds were injured due to tornadoes and powerful winds.
The hardest-hit states were Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, with Cook County, Texas, near the Oklahoma border, reporting seven deaths, including two young children. Homes were obliterated as tornadoes ripped through the area, prompting Texas Governor Greg Abbott to expand the disaster declaration issued in April.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed five fatalities in his state, one of whom died of a heart attack while attempting to clear fallen trees. Arkansas and Oklahoma also faced casualties, with eight deaths in Arkansas and two in Oklahoma as the storms wreaked havoc across the region.
In Kentucky, the town of Charleston was struck by a tornado that remained on the ground for 40 miles, causing power outages, water service disruptions, and significant damage. In Claremore, Oklahoma, city manager John Feary mobilized crews to clear roads and downed trees, with plans to address the areas most severely affected by the storms.
In Arkansas, tornadoes left behind debris, uprooted trees, and damaged businesses. The severe weather also grounded flights across the U.S. on the busy Memorial Day holiday, with over 500 cancellations and 7,700 delays reported on Monday.
The lingering storm system continued to pose a threat, with the Storm Prediction Center warning of the potential for severe storms in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic on Monday night. Tornado watches were issued for several states, including the District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia.
As the storms persisted, Texas braced for more severe weather with forecasts of hail and strong winds through Monday night. The communities affected by the storms faced a long road to recovery, with authorities working diligently to assess the damage and provide assistance to those in need.