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Tornadoes across the South and Midwest leave at least 32 dead

More than 50 tornadoes hit at least seven states, destroying more than 180,000 homes and businesses, ripping out trees, and leaving behind a significant death toll

Tornado destruction
Tornado destruction | Shutterstock

April 3, 2023 8:50am

Updated: April 3, 2023 9:19am

At least 32 were killed after several deadly tornadoes devastated several communities across several states in the South and Midwest throughout the weekend.

Beginning on Friday, more than 50 tornadoes hit at least seven states, destroying more than 180,000 homes and businesses, ripping out trees, and leaving behind a significant death toll. 

"While we are still assessing the full extent of the damage, we know families across America are mourning the loss of loved ones, desperately waiting for news of others fighting for their lives, and sorting through the rubble of their homes and businesses," President Joe Biden said in a statement.  

In Wynne Arkansas, at least four people died after a tornado destroyed the western part of the city, according to Mayor Jennifer Hobbs. “We’re just gonna need all the help that we can (get) to help these families recover,” she said. 

Another person reportedly died in North Little Rock, about 100 miles southwest of Wynne. 

Fifteen deaths were reported so far in Tennessee. In Memphis, three people died from the tornadoes. Two children and one adult were found dead after police responded to a call reporting trees falling on homes, according to the Memphis Police Department. 

At least nine individuals died from storm-related consequences in McNairy County, Tennessee, according to county mayor Larry Smith. Three others were killed in Shelby County. 

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee said during a visit to the affected sited that the storm topped off his “worst” week as governor of the state after a school shooting in Nashville killed six people. 

"It's terrible what has happened in this community, this county, this state," Lee said. "But it looks like your community has done what Tennessean communities do, and that is a rally and respond."

Five additional deaths were reported in Indiana, and four others in Illinois, including one person who died when the roof of a concert venue collapsed on concert-goers due to the storms. One death was reported in Alabama, Mississippi, and Delaware. 

On Sunday, the severe weather conditions moved towards the Southern Plains, where 13 million people in north Texas were placed on a level 3 of 5 warning for severe weather, according to the Storm Prediction Center. 

As a result, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field Airport issued ground stops, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The flights that were grounded have since resumed.