Tragedy struck overnight as severe storms and likely tornadoes wreaked havoc across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kentucky, claiming the lives of at least 15 people, including children.
With more than 100 million Americans under the threat of large hail, damaging winds, and fierce twisters, the mid-Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee River valleys are facing the brunt of the extreme weather. Power outages have been widespread, forcing residents to seek shelter amidst the chaos.
The severe weather has also disrupted Memorial Day weekend events, with the start of the Indianapolis 500 delayed due to lightning concerns and NBC experiencing signal loss during its pre-race broadcast.
In storm-ravaged Cooke County, Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has initiated a final round of search and rescue operations to ensure no one is missing. Volunteer organizations have been mobilized to provide aid and support to those in need.
Meanwhile, the St. Louis Cardinals’ game against the Chicago Cubs has been postponed due to the severe weather conditions, further highlighting the widespread impact of the storms.
As the situation unfolds, Texas faces a mounting crisis, with Governor Abbott declaring a disaster declaration for four additional counties — Denton, Collin, Cooke, and Montague — bringing the total number of affected counties to 106.