Deadly storms in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas: Everything you need to know

In a statement Sunday, President Joe Biden sent condolences for the people killed in the weekend storms and “everyone who has been affected,” and thanked first responders and emergency personnel for their work, CNN reported.

“Jill and I are praying for those who tragically lost their lives as a result of devastating tornadoes that tore through Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, leveling entire communities and leaving a path of destruction in their wake,” the president was quoted as saying.

The Storm Prediction Center issued a heightened tornado watch, designated as a rare “particularly dangerous situation,” warning of “several tornadoes and a few intense ones likely” on Sunday.

Areas effected and damaged caused

In Texas,  seven people, including two children, were killed in Cooke County, near the Oklahoma border. Approximately 100 people were injured, and more than 200 homes and structures were destroyed, particularly in Valley View. Winds reached up to 135 mph, causing significant damage.

“Extensive damage was found in Cooke County, primarily south of Valley View near the Cooke/Denton County line, with a preliminary rating of EF-2 with estimated maximum winds of 135 mph,” the National Weather Service said.

In Oklahoma, two people were killed, including guests at an outdoor wedding, while over 20 got injured. In Arkansas, eight people died statewide, including indirect storm-related deaths. Significant damage occurred in multiple counties.

In Kentucky, four person was killed in Louisville when a tree fell on him during the storm.

Government response

Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a disaster in several counties and emphasised the severe impact on families and businesses. Abbott toured the devastated areas and praised the resilience of the affected communities.

He also signed a disaster declaration for four additional counties. With this, a total of 106 counties have now been brought under the disaster declaration. “We are making one last round of searches to make sure there is no one missing,” the governor said.

At least seven people perished – including two children aged 2 and 5 from a single family – and nearly 100 were injured on Saturday night when a powerful tornado struck communities in north Texas near the Oklahoma border, Abbott said at a Sunday news conference.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency, citing extensive wind damage and tornadoes.

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed the deaths and provided updates on the state’s response to the storm’s aftermath.

Infrastructure and power outages

Tens of thousands were left without power, with the most significant outages reported in Arkansas, Missouri, Texas, and Oklahoma. While in some areas, blocked roads and downed power lines made rescue and recovery efforts challenging.