United States, storms and tornadoes hit the South and Midwest: at least 7 dead
Violent storms and tornadoes have hit the central and southern regions of the United States in the past few hours, causing at least seven deaths and several injuries, according to local authorities.
Since yesterday, several states, from Arkansas (in the south) to Ohio (in the north), have been affected by strong winds, sometimes accompanied by tornadoes and heavy rains.
Authorities in Tennessee (south) reported at least five deaths this morning due to the severe weather. According to local media, a father and his daughter were killed in Fayette County, Tennessee, after their mobile home was destroyed by a tornado. Three other people were hospitalized.
Other fatalities were reported in Indiana, where a man was reportedly electrocuted after his car was struck by a power line, and in Missouri. Schools are closed in several states affected by the storms, including Nashville, the capital of Tennessee. The governor of central-eastern Kentucky, Andy Beshear, issued a warning: “This will be one of the most severe weather events we have ever predicted.” According to the U.S. National Weather Service, the event, which could cause devastating floods, is expected to continue until Saturday.
According to the website poweroutage.us, approximately 230,000 customers were left without electricity across several states on Thursday.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has recorded about 1,800 tornadoes across the country in 2024, the highest number since 2004, with a total of 54 deaths.
