7 dead in Tennessee, Missouri and Indiana as tornado outbreak hits central U.S.
At least 7 people have been reported dead across the eastern and southern U.S. as a multi-hazard storm spawned over 40 tornadoes from Oklahoma to Ohio on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. Life-threatening, catastrophic, and potentially historic flash flood event continues across the Lower Ohio Valley and Mid-South, with rain totals of up to 380 mm (15 inches) forecast for some regions through this week. High Risks of Excessive Rainfall (level 4/4) remain in effect through Saturday.
Tornado damage in Missouri on April 3, 2025. Image credit: Missouri Department of Public Safety
- At least 7 people died during a widespread tornado outbreak on April 2, 2025, with 5 deaths in Tennessee and 1 each in Missouri and Indiana.
- A State of Disaster was declared for all 95 counties in Tennessee following severe weather and widespread damage.
- The outbreak produced over 40 tornadoes from Oklahoma to Ohio and triggered more than 300 tornado warnings across multiple states.
At least 7 people have been reported dead following a tornado outbreak that produced more than 40 tornadoes from Oklahoma to Ohio on Wednesday, April 2. More than 300 tornado warnings were issued across multiple states on the same day.
A State of Disaster was declared for all 95 counties in Tennessee after the severe weather outbreak impacted the region on Wednesday.
Five of the 7 fatalities were reported in Tennessee. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency confirmed 4 deaths on Thursday, April 3, while one additional fatality was confirmed by a state representative on social media. One fatality was reported in Missouri and one in Indiana.
The storms also injured multiple individuals and destroyed numerous homes from Arkansas, Missouri, and Tennessee through Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana.
In Missouri, Whitewater Fire Protection District Chief Garry Moore was killed while responding to severe weather on the night of Wednesday, along Highway 25 between Advance and Delta.
Chief Moore had been dispatched to assist in search and rescue operations following a possible tornado. He noticed a vehicle off the roadway, stopped to assess the situation, and was later found unconscious.
“An investigation into the death of Chief Moore is underway, and additional details will be made available upon conclusion of the investigation,” stated the Whitewater Fire Protection District.
Officials from the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office in Indiana reported that a 27-year-old man from Danville was killed during the storm when his vehicle drove over downed power lines. The driver exited the vehicle and came into contact with the live wires, according to deputies.
These incidents were part of a larger multi-hazard storm system that continues to affect much of the eastern and southern United States, with historic rains and significant flash flooding threats across the region.
Life-threatening flash flooding is expected across the Ohio Valley, west-southwest through the Middle and Lower Mississippi Valley, the Mid-South, and the ArkLaTex region on Friday. Heavy rainfall is forecast to continue across these areas throughout the week.
Catastrophic rainfall and flooding are expected in the Lower Ohio Valley, Mid-South, and the Ozarks, with localized totals of up to 380 mm (15 inches) possible through Sunday, April 6. Much of the region is forecast to receive up to 300 mm (1 foot) of rain by the end of the week.
Flash floods have already been affecting much of Tennessee and surrounding states since Thursday, with parts of Tennessee reporting up to 180 mm (7 inches) of rain through Thursday. Additional totals of 130 to 180 mm (5 to 7 inches) are being forecast for Friday.
Kentucky also continues to experience life-threatening flash floods, with much of the state under a Flash Flood Warning on Friday, along with parts of southern Indiana and Northern Tennessee.
Parts of the region could experience the heaviest one-day rain totals on Saturday, April 5. Some nocturnal tornadoes could spawn in the region as the storms pass through the state on Friday night.
Flash flood watches have been issued for nearly the entire region between Oklahoma and Ohio, including parts of northern Texas and nearly the whole of Arkansas, with heavy rains in the forecast.
References:
1 Flash Report #2 Severe Weather and Flooding – TEMA – April 3, 205
2 Area Forecast Discussion – NWS – April 4, 2025
3 Several killed in tornado outbreak that has left towns splintered in Mississippi Valley – Fox Weather – April 2, 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.
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