Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

New York City under flood watch, states brace for tornadoes as Memorial Day storms hit East Coast

As storms pelt the East Coast, communities in the central US are mourning the 21 lives lost to severe weather this weekend

Katie Hawkinson,Ariana Baio
Tuesday 28 May 2024 09:19 BST
Comments
Multi-vortex tornado near Creta, Oklahoma during Memorial Day Weekend

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

At least 21 people have died, including two children, in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kentucky after violent storms ripped through the central US over Memorial Day weekend.

At least 11 tornadoes swept through affected states on Sunday, with severe weather forecast to continue throughout Memorial Day. On Monday, a staggering 120m Americans were at risk of large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes as storm systems moved towards the Gulf Coast and East Coast, according to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center.

The storms could bring gusts up to 70 miles per hour and quarter-sized hail.

Meanwhile, record-high temperatures are feared in other parts of the country, with excessive heat warnings and heat advisories over southern Texas on Monday.

The death toll climbed to 21 people on Monday.

At least eight people have so far died as a result of the extreme storms in Arkansas, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders said at a news conference on Sunday evening.

Four people died in Kentucky, Governor Andy Beshear confirmed on Monday morning. The victims included a 67-year-old woman in Mercer County, a 62-year-old woman in Hardin County, a 48-year-old woman in Hopkins County and a 34-year-old man in Jefferson County, the governor said.

A fifth person was injured and is fighting for their life as of Monday afternoon, Mr Beshear said.

Meanwhile in Oklahoma, at least two people were killed in Mayes County after a tornado ripped through the northeast part of the state.

In Texas, multiple tornados were reported throughout the state with one plowing through Cooke County on Saturday night – approximately 50 miles north of Dallas – leaving seven people dead.

The sheriff confirmed that a two-year-old and a five-year-old were among the dead. The victims also included three other family members who were found in a home near Valley View – a rural community close to the Oklahoma border.

WATCH: Kentucky Governor confirms four people dead and thousands without power after devastating weekend storms

Kentucky Governor confirms four people dead and thousands without power
Katie Hawkinson28 May 2024 01:00

VIDEO: See the multi-vortex tornado near Creta, Oklahoma

Multi-vortex tornado Near Creta, Oklahoma
Katie Hawkinson28 May 2024 02:00

IN DEPTH: At least 21 killed as severe storms and tornadoes pummel central US

At least 21 people have died, including two children, in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kentucky after violent storms ripped through the central US over Memorial Day weekend.

At least 11 tornadoes swept through affected states on Sunday, with severe weather forecast to continue throughout Memorial Day. Now, a staggering 120m Americans remain at risk of large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes on Monday as storm systems move towards the Gulf Coast and East Coast, according to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center.

The storms could bring gusts up to 70 miles per hour and quarter-sized hail.

Read more on the deadly severe weather this weekend from The Independent:

At least 21 killed as severe storms and tornadoes pummel central US

As the deadly storms move to the East Coast, another 120m people are at risk of severe weather this Memorial Day

Katie Hawkinson28 May 2024 03:00

ICYMI: Texas man describes moment he found family trapped under debris from tornado

Kevin Dorantes, 20, was in nearby Carrollton when he learned the tornado was bearing down on the Valley View neighborhood where he lived with his father and brother. He called and told them to take cover in the windowless bathroom, where the pair rode out the storm and survived without injury.

Some of Dorantes’ neighbors weren’t so lucky.

As he wandered through the neighborhood surveying downed power lines and devastated properties, he came upon a family whose home was reduced to a pile of splintered rubble. A father and son were trapped under debris, and friends and neighbors worked frantically to get them out, Dorantes said.

“They were conscious but severely injured,” Dorantes said. “The father’s leg was snapped.”

He said they managed to put the father on a mattress and carry him to a truck, where he and his son were driven to an ambulance at a nearby convenience store.

Katie Hawkinson28 May 2024 04:00

IN PICTURES: Devastation from tornadoes in small Oklahoma town

Claremore, Oklahoma residents survey damage to a church on Sunday. The powerful storms damaged dozens of buildings in the small town
Claremore, Oklahoma residents survey damage to a church on Sunday. The powerful storms damaged dozens of buildings in the small town (AP)
Claremore, Oklahoma residents survey storm damage on Sunday. Now, the deadly storms that struck the central US are heading for the east coast on Monday
Claremore, Oklahoma residents survey storm damage on Sunday. Now, the deadly storms that struck the central US are heading for the east coast on Monday (AP)
A home in Claremore, Oklahoma buried under fallen trees after a tornado on Sunday. At least 21 people were killed by severe weather in the central US this weeked
A home in Claremore, Oklahoma buried under fallen trees after a tornado on Sunday. At least 21 people were killed by severe weather in the central US this weeked (AP)
Katie Hawkinson28 May 2024 05:01

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in