Published On 17 Mar 2025
A powerful storm system that unleashed devastating tornadoes, dust storms, and wildfires across the central and southern United States over the weekend has left at least 39 people dead.
The weakening but still unpredictable weather system, which caused widespread destruction, displacing hundreds from their homes and shattering communities, moved into the southeastern and mid-Atlantic regions of the US on Monday.
While the system appeared to have calmed, it still brought thunderstorms, hail, damaging winds, and a continued risk of tornadoes. Forecasters issued warnings for hazardous winds stretching from Florida to New Jersey, while heavy rain threatened areas across New York and New England.
The US National Weather Service issued a tornado watch early on Monday for parts of North Carolina and Virginia, warning residents of wind gusts potentially reaching 70mph (113km/h) and hailstones the size of ping pong balls.
‘High risk’ weather and staggering losses
The storm front, which began on Friday, was declared a rare “high-risk” event by meteorologists. Such extreme weather is not uncommon in March, but the system inflicted extraordinary damage over a widespread area.
In Tylertown, Mississippi, entire neighbourhoods were left in ruins as tornadoes snapped towering trees and obliterated homes. Governor Tate Reeves confirmed that six people had lost their lives and more than 200 residents were displaced.
Wind-driven wildfires tore through parts of Texas and Oklahoma. Authorities reported that 130 fires had been recorded across Oklahoma alone, damaging or destroying nearly 400 homes. Govern