Storms claim 34 lives as deadly weather system barrels toward East Coast

A powerful storm system tearing through the United States has left a trail of destruction, claiming at least 34 lives across Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Mississippi as of March 16, 2025. Sweeping the Midwest and South with ferocious tornadoes, high winds, and torrential rain, the weather phenomenon has toppled buildings, sparked over 100 wildfires, and plunged hundreds of thousands into darkness with widespread power outages. The National Weather Service has nearly 9 million people under tornado watches across Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee, while wind advisories blanket 82.8 million more, primarily in the nation’s midsection. As the system shifts eastward overnight, Georgia braces for a punishing onslaught of flash floods, damaging gusts, and fast-forming twisters. Emergency crews are racing against time to restore power and clear debris, while residents in affected states grapple with the aftermath of a weather event that has shattered records and tested the resilience of communities from Nashville to Cave City.

The death toll underscores the severity of the storms, with fatalities linked to both direct storm impacts and secondary effects like wildfires in Oklahoma. In Arkansas, 29 people were injured as an EF3 tornado ripped through Cave City, leaving homes and businesses in ruins. Texas battles massive wildfires, including the Crabapple Fire in Gillespie County, which has scorched 8,640 acres and is only 40% contained. Meanwhile, Nashville marked a historic moment with 3.57 inches of rain on March 15, breaking a 150-year-old record. The eastward movement of this deadly weather front now threatens millions more, with Georgia facing escalating power outages and road closures as winds topple trees and power lines.

Across the affected regions, the human and economic toll continues to mount. Over 185,000 customers in six states were without power by late Saturday night, with Missouri reporting the highest number at 68,798. The storms’ relentless advance has emergency responders stretched thin, from clearing debris-strewn highways in Georgia to battling blazes in Texas under red flag warnings. As the weather system barrels toward the East Coast, its unpredictable nature keeps millions on edge.

Devastation unfolds across multiple states

Tornadoes and wildfires wreak havoc in the South and Midwest

The storm system’s wrath has been unrelenting, carving a path of destruction through the heart of the country. In Arkansas, the small town of Cave City bore the brunt of an EF3 tornado with winds estimated between 136 and 165 mph, reducing parts of a church roof to rubble and scattering debris across streets. Drone footage captured the scale of the damage, showing homes and businesses leveled in northeastern Arkansas, where 29 injuries were reported. Missouri saw multiple tornadoes strike overnight from Friday into Saturday, contributing to the state’s high death toll and leaving 68,798 customers without electricity. Oklahoma’s fatalities were tied to wildfires fanned by fierce winds, with Texas following suit as the Crabapple Fire in Gillespie County raged across 8,640 acres, making it the state’s second-largest blaze after the 23,000-acre Windmill Fire in Roberts County, now 65% contained.

High winds have intensified the crisis, fueling over 100 wildfires across Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, where red flag warnings signal critical fire weather conditions. In Texas, the A&M Forest Service has deployed crews to combat the Crabapple Fire, which remains a significant threat despite reaching 40% containment. The storms have also disrupted daily life, with power outages affecting 76,000 in Georgia, 53,148 in Tennessee, and 37,705 in Mississippi as of Sunday morning. The combination of tornadoes, wildfires, and wind damage has left communities scrambling to recover, with emergency services working around the clock to address immediate needs.

Georgia braces for escalating storm impacts

As the storm system shifts eastward, Georgia is squarely in its crosshairs, with west-central regions already feeling the effects by Sunday morning. Video evidence from Villa Rica Highway shows a gas station’s metal awning flipped upside down by powerful gusts, its anchored legs torn from the ground and draped over the building. Nearby, fallen trees and power lines have blocked roads, forcing crews to use chainsaws to clear paths amid rising outages that have left over 76,000 without power. The National Weather Service warns of repeated rounds of heavy rain, increasing the risk of flash flooding alongside damaging winds and rapidly forming tornadoes.

The state’s emergency response teams are on high alert, with multiple roadways shut down due to debris and flooding. The storms’ eastward progression threatens to overwhelm infrastructure already strained by earlier outages, with Georgia Power reporting ongoing efforts to restore electricity to affected areas. Residents are urged to avoid travel as the volatile weather continues to unfold, with forecasts indicating the worst may still be ahead as the system moves toward the East Coast.

Tracking the storm’s path and aftermath

Timeline of the deadly weather system

The storm’s rapid evolution has kept meteorologists and emergency officials on their toes. Here’s a chronological overview of its impact as of March 16:

• March 14-15: Storms begin in the Midwest and South, with tornadoes striking Missouri and Arkansas overnight, killing dozens and injuring 29 in Cave City.
• March 15: Nashville records 3.57 inches of rain, breaking a 150-year record; wildfires intensify in Texas and Oklahoma, with the Crabapple Fire reaching 8,640 acres.
• March 16, early morning: A tornado hits eastern Alabama near Cusseta, moving toward Lanett; Georgia sees initial storm effects with power outages climbing.
• March 16, midday: Severe weather advances eastward, with 9 million under tornado watches and Georgia facing flash flood risks as winds topple infrastructure.

This timeline reflects a weather event that has escalated quickly, leaving a broad swath of the U.S. grappling with its consequences while bracing for further impacts.

Numbers highlight the storm’s toll

The statistics paint a grim picture of the storm’s reach. Across six states, 34 deaths have been confirmed, with Missouri and Arkansas among the hardest hit. Power outages have affected over 185,000 customers, with Missouri leading at 68,798, followed by Alabama at 51,393 and Georgia at 26,667 as of late Saturday. The National Weather Service has issued tornado watches for nearly 9 million people, while wind advisories cover 82.8 million, spanning Texas to South Dakota. In Texas alone, wildfires have consumed tens of thousands of acres, with the Windmill Fire at 23,000 acres and the Crabapple Fire at 8,640 acres standing out as major blazes.

In Arkansas, the EF3 tornado in Cave City left a lasting mark, with drone imagery revealing widespread structural damage. Georgia’s power outages surged to 76,000 by Sunday morning, while Tennessee and Mississippi reported 53,148 and 37,705 affected customers, respectively. These figures underscore the storm’s broad and devastating impact, from loss of life to disrupted services, as it continues its eastward march.

Safety measures as the storm moves east

With the weather system showing no signs of slowing, residents in its path can take steps to stay safe:

• Stock emergency kits with food, water, and batteries to prepare for prolonged power outages.
• Avoid flooded roads and downed power lines, which pose significant risks during flash floods and high winds.
• Secure outdoor objects and reinforce windows to minimize damage from gusts and debris.
• Stay updated via local alerts, as tornadoes and flash floods can develop with little warning.

These precautions are critical as the storm targets the East Coast, where millions more face potential disruption in the coming hours.