Latest news with #CindyBarkley
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Officials declare state of emergency as deadly storm ravages southern states and takes at least 42 lives: 'It's the worst I've ever seen'
A year already full of weather-related carnage is seeing more disasters added to the tally, this time in America's South and Midwest. According to USA Today, tornadoes, dust storms, and wildfires have killed at least 42 people. The BBC noted the storms have triggered emergency declarations in parts of Arkansas, Georgia, and Oklahoma. The severe weather last weekend knocked out power for hundreds of thousands of residents as high wind flipped cars while twister and flood warnings continued to accumulate. "It's the worst I've ever seen," Texas Public Safety Department Sgt. Cindy Barkley, per the BBC. A deadly 38-car pileup resulted after a dust storm there. In Oklahoma, 130 wildfires were reported last Friday, according to the BBC. While every calamity isn't a direct result of our overheating planet, NASA experts have linked the warming to increased risks for severe weather. For reference, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association reported that Earth's average temperature has increased by about 2 degrees since 1850. The association with greater tornado chances is still being studied by experts, according to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. It cited research indicating that storm conditions from which twisters are produced are more likely with rising mercury. Global warming "may also cause a shift" of severe thunderstorm seasons and where they happen. Weather experts have been sounding the alarm that the so-called Tornado Alley is moving out of the plains toward more populated eastern parts of the country, per the Guardian. Nearly 20 tornadoes hit Missouri as part of the recent bout of churning weather, per the BBC. Regardless of the cause, the shifting weather patterns will be a greater factor for different parts of the country — and at great cost. Last year, there were 27 natural disasters that caused at least $1 billion worth of damage each. The cost estimates include consumer price index adjustments. A map provided by the NOAA showed them mostly grouped slightly to the country's center-right region, extending from the Canadian border to the southern coast. Hurricanes, tornadoes, and severe weather are the top disasters. The number of billion-dollar events has been trending upward since the 1980s, when the average was 3.3 a year. Nearly 17,000 people have been killed as a result of the storms during the last 45 years, per the NOAA. What would you do if natural disasters were threatening your home? Move somewhere else Reinforce my home Nothing This is happening already Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. There has been an increase in properties damaged, and insurance coverage availability and premiums are being impacted. Staying educated on where they are most likely to happen can help you make informed decisions on where to live and work. Ingenious inventions that make homes more fireproof and durable are being introduced. FloodJack literally lifts houses above rising waters, for example. South Korean experts are using advanced computers to study weather data to better predict when floods will occur, providing earlier warnings. Contributing to a cooler world is also worthwhile. Simply switching to LEDs can save you hundreds of dollars a year in energy costs. They produce five times less air pollution than traditional bulbs as well. What's more, collecting rainwater in a barrel can provide you with free H2O for your garden and yard while also helping to prevent community flooding. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
At least 17 dead as massive storm system sweeps across US south with multiple tornadoes
Violent tornadoes ripped through parts of the US, wiping out schools and toppling semitractor-trailers in several states, part of a monster storm that killed at least 18 people as more severe weather was expected late Saturday. Missouri recorded more fatalities than any other state as it withstood scattered twisters overnight that killed at least 12 people, authorities said. The deaths included a man who was killed after a tornado ripped apart his home. 'It was unrecognizable as a home. Just a debris field,' said Coroner Jim Akers of Butler county, describing the scene that confronted rescuers. 'The floor was upside down. We were walking on walls.' In Arkansas, three storm-related deaths have been confirmed in Independence county with an additional 29 people injured in eight counties, according to the Arkansas division of emergency management on Saturday morning. Three people were killed on Friday in car crashes during a dust storm in Amarillo county in the Texas panhandle, according to Sgt Cindy Barkley of the state's department of public safety. One pileup involved an estimated 38 cars. 'It's the worst I've ever seen,' Barkley said, calling the near-zero visibility a nightmare. 'We couldn't tell that they were all together until the dust kind of settled.' In Mississippi, Governor Tate Reeves announced on Saturday morning that at least three people have been injured and were hospitalized in Grenada county, adding that the number is expected to increase. Six counties have reported damage including Calhoun, Carroll, Grenada, Humphreys, Leflore and Montgomery. Grenada county has been hit the hardest, Reeves said. A shelter has opened up in the Grenada City auditorium for those in search of refuge. At least 26 tornadoes were reported but not confirmed to have touched down late on Friday night and early on Saturday as a low pressure system drove powerful thunderstorms across parts of Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi and Missouri, said David Roth, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center. 'Today there is a high risk for more tornadoes across Alabama and Mississippi, the chance is 30%,' he said. 'That's pretty significant.' As the storms regain strength, the highest possible risk of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms was on Saturday night, forecasters said. The National Weather Service issued multiple tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings early on Saturday morning for areas in Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana and Texas. The agency has warned residents not to seek refuge in vehicles outside or under overpasses, as well as not to seek shelter under trees. Instead, it urged residents to get off the road and drive to a designated shelter, basement or safe room. The next best option for shelter is a small, windowless room or hallway on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, according to the agency. Related: Extreme weather and powerful winds predicted for 100 million Americans Evacuations were ordered in some Oklahoma communities as more than 130 fires were reported across the state. The state patrol said winds were so strong that they toppled several tractor-trailers. Forecasters said the severe storm threat would continue into the weekend with a high chance of tornadoes and damaging winds on Saturday in Mississippi and Alabama. Heavy rain could bring flash flooding to some parts of the east coast on Sunday. Experts say it's not unusual to see such weather extremes in March. 'What's unique about this one is its large size and intensity,' said Bill Bunting of the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma. 'And so what that is doing is producing really substantial impacts over a very large area.' The weather service said at least five tornadoes were reported in Missouri on Friday, including one in the Saint Louis area. Several buildings were damaged. The Storm Prediction Center said fast-moving storms could spawn twisters and hail as large as baseballs, but the greatest threat would come from straight-line winds near or exceeding hurricane force, with gusts of 100mph (160km/h) possible. 'Potentially violent' tornadoes were expected on Saturday in parts of the central Gulf coast and deep south into the Tennessee valley, according to the National Weather Service. The Storm Prediction Center said parts of Mississippi including Jackson and Hattiesburg and areas of Alabama including Birmingham and Tuscaloosa would be at a high risk. Severe storms and tornadoes were also possible across eastern Louisiana, western Georgia, central Tennessee and the western Florida panhandle. Wildfires in the southern plains threatened to spread rapidly amid warm, dry weather and strong winds, and evacuations were ordered on Friday for some communities in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and New Mexico. A blaze in Roberts county, Texas, north-east of Amarillo, quickly blew up from less than a square mile (about 2 sq km) to an estimated 32.8 sq miles (85 sq km), the Texas A&M University forest service said on X. Crews stopped its advance by Friday evening. About 60 miles (90km) to the south, another fire grew to about 4 sq miles (10 sq km) before its advance was halted in the afternoon. High winds also knocked out power to more than 300,000 homes and businesses in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana, according the website The National Weather Service issued blizzard warnings for parts of far western Minnesota and far eastern South Dakota starting early on Saturday. Snow accumulations of 3-6in (7.6-15.2cm) were expected, with up to a foot (30cm) possible. Winds gusting to 60mph (97km/h) were expected to cause whiteout conditions.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Monster storm across the US sparks threat of tornadoes and fire, killing at least five people
The threat of tornadoes in parts of the U.S. proved deadly as whipping winds moved east into the Mississippi Valley and Deep South on Saturday, with at least two people killed in south-central Missouri and widespread damage there and elsewhere. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that two adults were killed in the Bakersfield area in Ozark County and multiple people were injured. The deaths come as a massive storm system moving across the country unleashed winds that damaged buildings, whipped up deadly dust storms and fanned more than 100 wildfires. Extreme weather conditions — including hurricane-force winds — are forecast to affect an area home to more than 100 million people. Winds gusting up to 80 mph (130 kph) were predicted from the Canadian border to Texas, threatening blizzard conditions in colder northern areas and wildfire risk in warmer, drier areas to the south. 'Numerous significant tornadoes, some of which should be long-track and potentially violent, are expected this afternoon and evening.' the National Weather Service said Saturday. The most serious tornado threats were to eastern Louisiana and Mississippi, Alabama, and the western parts of the Florida Panhandle and Georgia, the NWS said. Three people were killed Friday in car crashes during a dust storm in Amarillo County in the Texas Panhandle, according to Sgt. Cindy Barkley of the state's department of public safety. One pileup involved an estimated 38 cars. 'It's the worst I've ever seen,' Barkley said, calling the near-zero visibility a nightmare. 'We couldn't tell that they were all together until the dust kind of settled.' Evacuations were ordered in some Oklahoma communities as more than 130 fires were reported across the state. The State Patrol said winds were so strong that they toppled several tractor-trailers. 'This is terrible out here,' said Charles Daniel, a truck driver hauling a 48-foot (14.6-meter) trailer along Interstate 40 in western Oklahoma. 'There's a lot of sand and dirt in the air. I'm not pushing it over 55 mph. I'm scared it will blow over if I do.' Forecasters said the severe storm threat would continue into the weekend with a high chance of tornadoes and damaging winds Saturday in Mississippi and Alabama. Heavy rain could bring flash flooding to some parts of the East Coast on Sunday. Experts say it's not unusual to see such weather extremes in March. 'What's unique about this one is its large size and intensity,' said Bill Bunting of the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma. 'And so what that is doing is producing really substantial impacts over a very large area.' The weather service said at least five tornadoes were reported in Missouri on Friday, including one in the Saint Louis area. Several buildings were damaged. The Storm Prediction Center said fast-moving storms could spawn twisters and hail as large as baseballs, but the greatest threat would come from straight-line winds near or exceeding hurricane force, with gusts of 100 mph (160 kph) possible. 'Potentially violent' tornadoes were expected Saturday in parts of the central Gulf Coast and Deep South into the Tennessee Valley, according to the National Weather Service. The Storm Prediction Center said parts of Mississippi including Jackson and Hattiesburg and areas of Alabama including Birmingham and Tuscaloosa would be at a high risk. Severe storms and tornadoes were also possible across eastern Louisiana, western Georgia, central Tennessee and the western Florida Panhandle. Wildfires in the Southern Plains threatened to spread rapidly amid warm, dry weather and strong winds, and evacuations were ordered Friday for some communities in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and New Mexico. A blaze in Roberts County, Texas, northeast of Amarillo, quickly blew up from less than a square mile (about 2 square kilometers) to an estimated 32.8 square miles (85 square kilometers), the Texas A&M University Forest Service said on X. Crews stopped its advance by Friday evening. About 60 miles (90 kilometers) to the south, another fire grew to about 3.9 square miles (10 square kilometers) before its advance was halted in the afternoon. High winds also knocked out power to more than 300,000 homes and businesses in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana, according the website The National Weather Service issued blizzard warnings for parts of far western Minnesota and far eastern South Dakota starting early Saturday. Snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches (7.6 to 15.2 centimeters) were expected, with up to a foot (30 centimeters) possible. Winds gusting to 60 mph (97 kph) were expected to cause whiteout conditions. ___ Bynum reported from Savannah, Georgia, and Golden from Seattle. Associated Press journalists from across the U.S. contributed. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Monster storm across the US sparks tornado, fire threat
At least five people have been killed in a monster storm sweeping across much of the United States, including two deaths following a tornado in Missouri. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that two adults were killed in the Bakersfield area in Ozark County and multiple people were injured. The deaths come as a massive storm system moving across the country unleashed winds that damaged buildings, whipped up deadly dust storms and fanned more than 100 wildfires. Extreme weather conditions — including hurricane-force winds — are forecast to affect an area home to more than 100 million people. Winds gusting up to 130 km/h were predicted from the Canadian border to Texas, threatening blizzard conditions in colder northern areas and wildfire risk in warmer, drier areas to the south. "Numerous significant tornadoes, some of which should be long-track and potentially violent, are expected this afternoon and evening," the National Weather Service said Saturday. Three people were killed Friday in car crashes during a dust storm in Amarillo County in the Texas Panhandle, according to Sergeant Cindy Barkley. One pile-up involved an estimated 38 cars. "It's the worst I've ever seen," Barkley said, calling the near-zero visibility a nightmare. "We couldn't tell that they were all together until the dust kind of settled." Evacuations were ordered in some Oklahoma communities as more than 130 fires were reported across the state. The State Patrol said winds were so strong that they toppled several large trucks. "This is terrible out here," said Charles Daniel, a truck driver hauling 14.6-metre trailer along Interstate 40 in western Oklahoma. "There's a lot of sand and dirt in the air. I'm not pushing it over 55 mph. (88 km/h) I'm scared it will blow over if I do." Forecasters said the severe storm threat would continue into the weekend with a high chance of tornadoes and damaging winds on Saturday in Mississippi and Alabama. Heavy rain could bring flash flooding to some parts of the East Coast on Sunday. [Sat. March 15, 2025]Numerous areas of hazardous weather expected across the Nation today. This includes significant flash flooding and severe weather in the Tennessee Valley and South, blizzard conditions in western MN, as well as heavy precipitation across the Northwest. ⛈️🌨️ — NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) March 15, 2025 Experts say it's not unusual to see such weather extremes in March. "What's unique about this one is its large size and intensity," said Bill Bunting of the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Centre in Norman, Oklahoma. "And so what that is doing is producing really substantial impacts over a very large area." The weather service said at least five tornadoes were reported in Missouri on Friday, including one in the Saint Louis area. Several buildings were damaged. The Storm Prediction Centre said fast-moving storms could spawn twisters and hail as large as baseballs, but the greatest threat would come from straight-line winds near or exceeding hurricane force, with gusts of 160 km/h possible. The Storm Prediction Centre said parts of Mississippi including Jackson and Hattiesburg and areas of Alabama including Birmingham and Tuscaloosa would be at a high risk. Severe storms and tornadoes were also possible across eastern Louisiana, western Georgia, central Tennessee and the western Florida Panhandle. Wildfires in the Southern Plains threatened to spread rapidly amid warm, dry weather and strong winds, and evacuations were ordered Friday for some communities in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and New Mexico. High winds also knocked out power to more than 300,000 homes and businesses in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.
Chicago Tribune
15-03-2025
- Climate
- Chicago Tribune
Monster storm across the US sparks threat of tornadoes and fire, killing at least five people
The threat of tornadoes in parts of the U.S. proved deadly as whipping winds moved east into the Mississippi Valley and Deep South on Saturday, with at least two people killed in south-central Missouri and widespread damage there and elsewhere. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that two adults were killed in the Bakersfield area in Ozark County and multiple people were injured. The deaths come as a massive storm system moving across the country unleashed winds that damaged buildings, whipped up deadly dust storms and fanned more than 100 wildfires. Extreme weather conditions — including hurricane-force winds — are forecast to affect an area home to more than 100 million people. Winds gusting up to 80 mph were predicted from the Canadian border to Texas, threatening blizzard conditions in colder northern areas and wildfire risk in warmer, drier areas to the south. 'Numerous significant tornadoes, some of which should be long-track and potentially violent, are expected this afternoon and evening.' the National Weather Service said Saturday. The most serious tornado threats were to eastern Louisiana and Mississippi, Alabama, and the western parts of the Florida Panhandle and Georgia, the NWS said. Three people were killed Friday in car crashes during a dust storm in Amarillo County in the Texas Panhandle, according to Sgt. Cindy Barkley of the state's department of public safety. One pileup involved an estimated 38 cars. 'It's the worst I've ever seen,' Barkley said, calling the near-zero visibility a nightmare. 'We couldn't tell that they were all together until the dust kind of settled.' Evacuations were ordered in some Oklahoma communities as more than 130 fires were reported across the state. The State Patrol said winds were so strong that they toppled several tractor-trailers. 'This is terrible out here,' said Charles Daniel, a truck driver hauling a 48-foot trailer along Interstate 40 in western Oklahoma. 'There's a lot of sand and dirt in the air. I'm not pushing it over 55 mph. I'm scared it will blow over if I do.' Forecasters said the severe storm threat would continue into the weekend with a high chance of tornadoes and damaging winds Saturday in Mississippi and Alabama. Heavy rain could bring flash flooding to some parts of the East Coast on Sunday. Experts say it's not unusual to see such weather extremes in March. 'What's unique about this one is its large size and intensity,' said Bill Bunting of the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma. 'And so what that is doing is producing really substantial impacts over a very large area.' Tornadoes hit amid storm outbreak The weather service said at least five tornadoes were reported in Missouri on Friday, including one in the Saint Louis area. Several buildings were damaged. The Storm Prediction Center said fast-moving storms could spawn twisters and hail as large as baseballs, but the greatest threat would come from straight-line winds near or exceeding hurricane force, with gusts of 100 mph possible. 'Potentially violent' tornadoes were expected Saturday in parts of the central Gulf Coast and Deep South into the Tennessee Valley, according to the National Weather Service. The Storm Prediction Center said parts of Mississippi including Jackson and Hattiesburg and areas of Alabama including Birmingham and Tuscaloosa would be at a high risk. Severe storms and tornadoes were also possible across eastern Louisiana, western Georgia, central Tennessee and the western Florida Panhandle. Wildfires break out amid dry, gusty conditions Wildfires in the Southern Plains threatened to spread rapidly amid warm, dry weather and strong winds, and evacuations were ordered Friday for some communities in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and New Mexico. A blaze in Roberts County, Texas, northeast of Amarillo, quickly blew up from less than a square mile to an estimated 32.8 square miles the Texas A&M University Forest Service said on X. Crews stopped its advance by Friday evening. About 60 miles to the south, another fire grew to about 3.9 square miles before its advance was halted in the afternoon. High winds also knocked out power to more than 300,000 homes and businesses in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana, according the website Blizzard warnings in Northern Plains The National Weather Service issued blizzard warnings for parts of far western Minnesota and far eastern South Dakota starting early Saturday. Snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches were expected, with up to a foot possible. Winds gusting to 60 mph were expected to cause whiteout conditions. Originally Published: March 15, 2025 at 9:36 AM CDT
