After the tornadoes wreaked havoc in Arkansas, the affected counties are now facing the immense task of rebuilding their communities. The devastating twisters claimed the lives of at least six individuals and left a trail of destruction in their wake, with heart-wrenching images showing children’s toys scattered among the debris.
The severe storms struck on Wednesday night, causing widespread damage as they tore through the South and the Midwest. Lake City in Arkansas bore the brunt of the destruction, with photos capturing the harrowing aftermath of the natural disaster.
Among the rubble, children’s toys were pictured strewn across the remnants of one home, showing the devastation across the areas hit by the storms.
The extent of the devastation in Arkansas is evident, as homes lining the highway in Lake City were reduced to rubble. Buildings were flattened, brick walls crumbled, and roofs were torn off, underscoring the power of the destructive forces unleashed by the tornadoes.
Three cars were launched into the trees, Associated Press reported, and debris was launched nearly five miles above ground.
One resident, Cody Ferguson, had hid in a storm shelter with neighbors while the storms ravaged above.
‘I don’t really know how to explain it. Just real loud rumbling, a lot of bangs, debris,’ Ferguson told AP.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders shared a video of the violent storm in Lake City on X and wrote: ‘We have reports of storm and tornado damage from around the state. We have emergency personnel on the ground to help anyone who has been injured, but these storms aren’t finished yet. Stay informed and most importantly stay safe!’
The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management reported damage to 22 counties following the severe weather.
At least four people were injured overnight, and no deaths have been reported, according to the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management.
Reports of destroyed buildings emerged across the states hit by the severe storms, including Tennessee, Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, and Arkansas.
The destruction tore down trees, ripped apart buildings and left thousands without power.
At least six people are reported to have died, among them were four people in Tennessee and an Indiana man who died after his truck struck downed powerlines.
The Chief of the Whitewater Fire Protection District in Missouri was reported to have died during a tornado outbreak, NBC News reported.
In a statement, the Perryville Fire Department in Missouri said: ‘Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Whitewater Fire Protection District as well as the family and friends of Fire Chief Garry Moore, as he made the ultimate sacrifice while serving during storms last night.’
The severe weather also resulted in at least 13 injuries, some of which were in connection to the death of a man and his teenage daughter in Tennessee after a trailer flipped.
A father, 48, was pronounced dead at the scene, and his 16-year-old daughter later died at the hospital.
A 46-year-old mother was last reported in critical condition and two other family members, 20 and 12 years old, are in stable condition, Fayette County Chief Deputy of Administration Ray Garcia told NBC News.
As of 2pm today, over 230,000 homes were left without power across Texas, Arkansas, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan, according to PowerOutage.us.
Severe flooding warnings remain in place as emergency services in Nashville respond to rescue calls as streets had become rivers of water and cars were pictured submerged by the Nashville Fire Department.
Forecasters warned that communities in areas affected by flooding ‘should prepare for possible long duration and severe disruptions to daily life,’ with 10 to 15 inches of rain expected over the weekend, NBC reported.
