This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-65150138

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
US tornadoes: Death toll grows as extreme storms ravage several states US tornadoes: Death toll grows as extreme storms ravage several states
(1 day later)
Watch: Drone footage shows scale of US tornado wreckageWatch: Drone footage shows scale of US tornado wreckage
Watch: Drone footage shows scale of US tornado wreckageWatch: Drone footage shows scale of US tornado wreckage
At least 26 people have been killed after a series of tornadoes tore through towns and cities in the South and Midwest of the United States. At least 32 people have been killed after a weekend of devastating tornadoes that tore through the South and Midwest of the United States.
Homes were destroyed and thousands left without power after huge storms caused devastation across several states.Homes were destroyed and thousands left without power after huge storms caused devastation across several states.
There have been more than 80 reported tornadoes since 31 March, according to the National Weather Service.There have been more than 80 reported tornadoes since 31 March, according to the National Weather Service.
States including Arkansas, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Alabama and Mississippi have all had fatalities.States including Arkansas, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Alabama and Mississippi have all had fatalities.
One storm shredded through the Arkansas town of Wynne - a community some 100 miles (170km) east of the state capital, Little Rock. The death toll is highest in Tennessee, where 15 people were killed after tornadoes swept through multiple counties, local officials said.
The town of Wynne in Arkansas suffered heavy damage from the storm system Another storm shredded through the Arkansas town of Wynne - a community some 100 miles (170km) east of the state capital, Little Rock.
Wynne's mayor, Jennifer Hobbs, told CNN that the town was "cut in half by damage from east to west".
Ashley Macmillan said she, her husband and their children huddled with their dogs in the bathroom as a tornado passed overhead, "praying and saying goodbye to each other, because we thought we were dead".Ashley Macmillan said she, her husband and their children huddled with their dogs in the bathroom as a tornado passed overhead, "praying and saying goodbye to each other, because we thought we were dead".
A falling tree seriously damaged their home, but they were unhurt.A falling tree seriously damaged their home, but they were unhurt.
"We could feel the house shaking, we could hear loud noises, dishes rattling. And then it just got calm," Ms Macmillan told AP news agency."We could feel the house shaking, we could hear loud noises, dishes rattling. And then it just got calm," Ms Macmillan told AP news agency.
Wynne High School was badly damaged, with some buildings torn to pieces. One of its teachers, Lisa Worden, said a decision to send pupils home early was critical.Wynne High School was badly damaged, with some buildings torn to pieces. One of its teachers, Lisa Worden, said a decision to send pupils home early was critical.
"We got out at 1:30, which was such a God blessing from our superintendent, because otherwise kids would have been on busses and teachers would have still been here. And so that would have been even more devastating," she told Reuters news agency."We got out at 1:30, which was such a God blessing from our superintendent, because otherwise kids would have been on busses and teachers would have still been here. And so that would have been even more devastating," she told Reuters news agency.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency in the state of Arkansas on Friday, with the national guard activated to help with recovery efforts.Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency in the state of Arkansas on Friday, with the national guard activated to help with recovery efforts.
Several buildings of Wynne High School were torn apart by the tornadoSeveral buildings of Wynne High School were torn apart by the tornado
She said she had spoken to President Joe Biden about the situation, who promised federal aid.She said she had spoken to President Joe Biden about the situation, who promised federal aid.
Friday's storms also led to the collapse of a theatre roof at a packed heavy metal gig in Belvidere, Illinois state, leading to one death and 28 injuries. On Sunday, President Biden wrote in a tweet that his administration is ready to assist several states with recovery efforts following the devastating storms.
As storms continue to work their way east, hundreds of thousands of people are without power across several states. "Jill and I are praying for everyone impacted," he added.
The state of Illinois was also hit by violent storms on Friday that led to the collapse of a theatre roof at a packed heavy metal gig in Belvidere, leading to one death and 28 injuries.
Hundreds of thousands of people were without power across several states over the weekend.
Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania are the worst affected, according to the US PowerOutage website.Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania are the worst affected, according to the US PowerOutage website.
In a bulletin, the Storm Prediction Center warned some of the projected tornadoes could track across the ground for long distances.In a bulletin, the Storm Prediction Center warned some of the projected tornadoes could track across the ground for long distances.
Investigators at the Apollo Theater in Belvidere, Illinois, after the monster storm caused the ceiling to collapseInvestigators at the Apollo Theater in Belvidere, Illinois, after the monster storm caused the ceiling to collapse
The deadly tornadoes come a week after a rare, long-track twister killed 26 people in Mississippi.The deadly tornadoes come a week after a rare, long-track twister killed 26 people in Mississippi.
The Mississippi tornado last week travelled 59 miles (94km) and lasted about an hour and 10 minutes - an unusually long period of time for a storm to sustain itself. It damaged about 2,000 homes, officials said.The Mississippi tornado last week travelled 59 miles (94km) and lasted about an hour and 10 minutes - an unusually long period of time for a storm to sustain itself. It damaged about 2,000 homes, officials said.
President Biden visited the state on Friday to pay his condolences.President Biden visited the state on Friday to pay his condolences.
How have you been affected by the storms? If it is safe to do so share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.How have you been affected by the storms? If it is safe to do so share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803
Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSayTweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay
Upload pictures or videoUpload pictures or video
Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policyPlease read our terms & conditions and privacy policy
If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
TornadoesTornadoes
IndianaIndiana
ArkansasArkansas
MississippiMississippi
AlabamaAlabama
TennesseeTennessee
United StatesUnited States
Severe weatherSevere weather
IllinoisIllinois