Multiple fatalities reported as tornadoes rip through Missouri
Multiple fatalities have been reported in Missouri as tornadoes barreled through the state on Friday, March 14, 2025. Two fatalities have been confirmed in Ozark County, while an unspecified number of fatalities have been reported in the Poplar Bluff area in Butler County.
A home destroyed by tornadoes in Missouri. Credit: Missouri State Highway Patrol
At least two people were killed in Missouri’s Ozark County, and multiple fatalities were reported in Butler County after a powerful storm system swept across the state on March 14, 2025.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed the deaths of a man and woman in the Bakersfield area of Ozark County. Meanwhile, Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs reported multiple fatalities in the Poplar Bluff area, where severe storms caused extensive structural damage.
Several structures in the Poplar Bluff area have been destroyed due to the storms. Reports have come in from heavy damage to homes and businesses in the Poplar Bluff area.
Major damage was reported to New Covenant Fellowship Church and a neighboring trailer park on PP Highway. Sheriff Dobbs is asking people to stay home as multiple rescue operations are underway. The Poplar Bluff Police Department is reporting that multiple power lines are down in the city.
Tornadoes were reported near Villa Ridge, Florissant, Rolla, and on I-44 west of St. Louis on Friday, causing significant damage by ripping roofs, damaging vehicles, and downing trees.
Tad Peters was on I-44 in Rolla, Missouri, when he got caught in the tornado. In a video he posted, he pointed to the debris being flung around by the twister. “We’re in a tornado,” Peters said in the video as it passed over them at a gas station. He also reported that the storm caused damage to a business across the road.
“A tornado just went over us in Rolla, Missouri, at the QuikTrip on I-44. It knocked out power and caused damage to the Love’s across the road,” said Peters.
The tornado that struck Villa Ridge late Friday injured at least two people, who were transported to nearby hospitals. It tore the roof off a Burger King and caused significant damage to a gas station, shattering its windows and toppling two semitrucks.
Another tornado was reported in Florissant, where multiple trees and power lines were downed. A tree reportedly fell onto a restaurant, with branches piercing the roof and causing significant damage.
Several trees have also fallen on homes, and widespread damage has been reported across the region.
Structural damage has also been reported in Wright County, northwest of Hartville. In Howell County, damage, including impacted structures, fallen trees, and downed power lines, has been observed in Moody, South Fork, and areas southwest of West Plains. The damage extends eastward into Oregon County, affecting Rover, Thomasville, and Alton, according to troopers.
The tornado outbreak was part of a multi-day severe weather event affecting millions across the United States.
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) reported 23 tornadoes on March 14, with nine confirmed in Missouri, six in Arkansas, five in Mississippi, and three in Illinois.
The threat is ongoing, with the National Weather Service warning of a continued risk of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in parts of the Gulf Coast and Deep South through the weekend.
References:
1 SPC Storm Reports – NWS/SPC – March 13, 2025
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
The really sad part is that people will rebuild using the same failed building codes. Expecting different results. How about concrete domes or underground houses in tornado country? How many people have to needlessly die?
My great grandma lives in South carolina and my sister lives in Tennessee and my sister is going somewhere else and my great grandma she might stay I haven’t talked to her and we’re going somewhere else 8hrs away from panama city then also about that restaurant it’s sad because we used to go there to eat pizza and celebrate my great grandma’s birthday then we used to book the hole place to are self’s one day and celebrate my great grandma’s birthday and my sister’s name is Elisabeth and my great grandma’s name is rosea also about the burger King we used to stop there when we were on the road as a car trip to places we travel a lot.
God is trying to get peoples attention. Wake UP!! Repent!! His word says these plagues will come and that includes weather, fire, and earthquakes will increase in severity as we near the end.