Severe storms and tornadoes leave at least 42 dead across Missouri, Mississippi, Kansas, Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma
The multi-day severe weather outbreak has left at least 33 people dead across six U.S. states as storms and tornadoes continue to cause destruction. Missouri has reported the highest death toll with 12 fatalities, while Kansas, Mississippi, Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma have also suffered casualties.
Storm damage in Reynolds County, Missouri on March 15, 2025. Image credit: MSHPTrooperGHQ
- At least 42 people have died across six U.S. states in severe weather outbreak, with Missouri reporting the highest number of fatalities.
- The storm system has produced at least 58 tornadoes, with multiple states, including Missouri, Mississippi, and Alabama, experiencing significant damage.
- Governor Tate Reeves of Mississippi declared a state of emergency to help mobilize resources for response and recovery efforts.
The storms have destroyed homes and infrastructure, downed power lines and trees, and caused widespread power outages in several affected regions.
The multi-day severe weather outbreak continued to impact the U.S. on Saturday, March 15, as the death toll rose to 42 by Monday, with fatalities reported in six states.
At least 12 people were reported dead in Missouri, the highest toll among affected states, followed by Kansas, where eight fatalities occurred in a multi-vehicle collision on Interstate 70 caused by a dust storm. Mississippi recorded six deaths, while Oklahoma reported four. Three fatalities were confirmed in both Texas and Arkansas, and two deaths were reported in Alabama.
The storm produced at least 58 tornadoes across the country. Between Friday and Saturday, March 14–15, 13 tornadoes were reported in Missouri, eight in Arkansas, six in Mississippi, four in Illinois, and two in Indiana. Between Saturday and Sunday, March 15–16, 15 tornadoes were reported in Mississippi, eight in Alabama, and two in Louisiana.
Most of the destruction occurred in southeastern Missouri. Among the 12 fatalities, the state’s highway patrol confirmed that six deaths occurred in Wayne County, three in Ozark County, and two in Butler and Jefferson counties.
St. Louis County police reported that a woman was found dead near electrical lines in the backyard of her home.
Governor Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency for Mississippi on Saturday after fatalities were reported. Reeves stated that this measure would help the state mobilize resources more effectively to support response and recovery efforts in the affected counties.
Among the six fatalities, one occurred in Covington County, two in Jeff Davis County, and three in Walthall County. Three people were reported missing—one in Walthall County and two in Covington County. Preliminary reports indicate 29 injuries statewide: 15 in Covington County, two in Jeff Davis County, two in Pike County, and 10 in Walthall County.
Damage assessments are ongoing with preliminary reports indicating 21 counties sustained storm damage.
In Arkansas, three fatalities were confirmed in Independence County, and 29 people were reported injured across eight counties due to a storm system that moved through the state overnight, according to the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management.
The storms caused significant damage across the affected regions, destroying homes and infrastructure, downing power lines and trees, and resulting in widespread power outages.
Severe storms moved into western Georgia and metro Atlanta late Saturday and continued past midnight into Sunday, bringing strong winds, lightning, and rain. A tornado warning was issued at one point.
The storm system affected parts of western Georgia and the northwestern Atlanta metro, prompting a flash flood warning for Cobb, Douglas, Bartow, Carroll, Floyd, Haralson, Paulding, and Polk counties.
Reports indicate widespread damage, including numerous downed trees and extensive power outages in the hardest-hit areas. One person was injured on Dandy Road, while three were trapped inside their home on Indian Hills Drive after a tree fell on it.
A severe dust storm in Kansas on Friday, March 14, caused a deadly multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 70, resulting in at least eight fatalities. Strong winds significantly reduced visibility, triggering collisions involving multiple cars and commercial vehicles. The incident occurred near Goodland, in the northwest part of the state, an area prone to high winds and dust events.
Local authorities reported extensive emergency response efforts as first responders attended to injured individuals and cleared wreckage along the interstate. Multiple injuries were reported in addition to the fatalities, though precise numbers have not yet been confirmed.
Following the incident, Kansas Highway Patrol temporarily closed Interstate 70 between the Colorado border and Colby, diverting traffic to safer routes until conditions improved. Emergency services warned drivers to avoid traveling during severe weather conditions due to continued visibility hazards.
The threat of severe storms is expected to end by Monday, March 17, as the system moves eastward over the Atlantic Ocean.
Rain will continue over parts of the Northeast and northern Mid-Atlantic on Monday morning, with a narrow band of light snow on the northwest side of the precipitation shield from the Lower Great Lakes to the Central Appalachians. The rain and snow will taper off over parts of northern New England by Monday evening.
References:
1 Storm Reports (20250315 1200 UTC – 20250316 1159 UTC) – SPC – March 16, 2025
2 Storm Reports (20250314 1200 UTC – 20250315 1159 UTC) – SPC – March 15, 2025
3 Violent tornado outbreak underway in South from storm that has killed at least 33 – CNN – March 16, 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.
Rishav, thank you for your report. CNN changed their headline after you looked at it. They originally said “33” deaths, as can be seen archived (https://archive.is/yfOnN) but the current view (https://archive.is/xSbVE) shows “35” deaths. Maybe the death count will continue to rise.
Wow. Just wow. Such a shame. Why these types of storms seem to hit the areas where many don’t have much, is beyond me. Almost feels targeted. Happens over and over and over.
The mobile homes flipped like pillows.. crazy. Thank you for the coverage. I am not sure many in the USA have any idea this occurred. We will be praying for those hurtin.’