Monster storm pummeling central and southern US sparks tornadoes and fire, killing at least 18 - The Mercury News

Monster storm pummeling central and southern US sparks tornadoes and fire, killing at least 18 - The Mercury News

Monster Storm Unleashes Fury on Central and Southern US, Claiming at Least 18 Lives - The Mercury News

A devastating outbreak of severe weather has gripped the central and southern United States, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming the lives of at least 18 people. The monster storm, pummeling communities with intense tornadoes and unexpected fire, has prompted widespread emergency response efforts and left residents reeling from the sudden devastation. The Mercury News brings you the latest on this unfolding crisis.

The Great Plains and the South are no strangers to severe weather, especially during the spring months. The convergence of warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and cold, dry air from the north creates the volatile conditions conducive to the formation of powerful thunderstorms and tornadoes. Historical records show a cyclical pattern of severe weather events in these regions, highlighting the importance of preparedness and early warning systems.

In recent days, a particularly potent weather system intensified rapidly, sparking an alarming number of confirmed tornadoes. Emergency services reported widespread damage across multiple states, including structural collapses, downed power lines, and significant debris fields. Alongside the tornado threat, dry conditions and high winds fanned the flames of wildfires in some areas, adding another layer of complexity to the disaster response.

The human cost of this catastrophic event is devastating. At least 18 people have been confirmed killing in the affected regions, with the possibility of that number rising as search and rescue operations continue. Scores of others have been injured, and countless families have been displaced from their homes. “The scale of the damage is truly heartbreaking,” said a Red Cross spokesperson familiar with the rescue operations.

The economic impact of this storm is expected to be substantial. Agricultural regions have been particularly hard hit, potentially disrupting supply chains and increasing food prices. Insurance companies are bracing for a surge of claims related to property damage and business interruption. “We anticipate significant losses across multiple sectors,” according to one insurance analyst.

Looking ahead, the focus remains on providing immediate relief to those affected and assessing the full extent of the damage. Long-term recovery efforts will require a coordinated response from federal, state, and local agencies, as well as the support of non-profit organizations and volunteers. The event highlights the ever-present threat of severe weather and the critical need for robust infrastructure and community resilience. While the immediate crisis demands our attention, addressing the underlying factors that contribute to increasingly extreme weather events will require sustained effort and global cooperation.

Comments

Please to add a comment.

Advertisements

Recommended for You

Monster storm across the US sparks scores of tornadoes and fire, killing at least 17 - The Associated Press

Monster storm across the US sparks scores of tornadoes and fire, killing at least 17 - The Associated Press

Monster Storm Across the US Sparks Scores of Tornadoes and Fire Killing At Least 17 A ferocious weather system has unleashed unprecedented devastation across th

Monster storm across the US sparks threat of tornadoes and fire, killing at least 17 - The Associated Press

Monster storm across the US sparks threat of tornadoes and fire, killing at least 17 - The Associated Press

Monster Storm Grips US Unleashing Tornadoes Fires and Devastation Death Toll Climbs to At Least 17 A powerful expansive weather system is currently wreaking hav

Monster storm across the US sparks threat of tornadoes and fire, killing at least 16 - The Associated Press

Monster storm across the US sparks threat of tornadoes and fire, killing at least 16 - The Associated Press

Monster Storm Sweeps Across the US Unleashing Tornadoes Fires and Claiming Lives A ferocious weather system has carved a destructive path across the United Stat

Tornadoes, wildfires and blinding dust sweep across U.S. as massive storm leaves at least 32 dead - The Associated Press

Tornadoes, wildfires and blinding dust sweep across U.S. as massive storm leaves at least 32 dead - The Associated Press

Tornadoes Wildfires and Blinding Dust Sweep Across U.S. as Massive Storm Leaves At Least 32 Dead A powerful and devastating storm system has unleashed a wave of

Tornadoes, wildfires and blinding dust sweep across U.S. as massive storm leaves at least 32 dead - KPRC Click2Houston

Tornadoes, wildfires and blinding dust sweep across U.S. as massive storm leaves at least 32 dead - KPRC Click2Houston

Devastating Weather System Unleashes Tornadoes Wildfires and Blinding Dust Across the U.S. Claiming at Least 32 Lives A powerful and multifaceted weather system

At least 34 dead as tornadoes tear through southern US - BBC.com

At least 34 dead as tornadoes tear through southern US - BBC.com

At Least 34 Dead As Tornadoes Tear Through Southern US Devastating Communities Violent tornadoes carved a path of destruction across the southern United States

Fierce Storms Kill at Least 18 as Tornadoes Batter the South and Midwest - The New York Times

Fierce Storms Kill at Least 18 as Tornadoes Batter the South and Midwest - The New York Times

Fierce Storms Kill at Least 18 as Tornadoes Batter the South and Midwest: A Nation Grapples with Devastation A string of powerful tornadoes has ripped through t

At least 26 dead in massive US storm after Kansas reports 8 fatalities - The Associated Press

At least 26 dead in massive US storm after Kansas reports 8 fatalities - The Associated Press

Midwest Reels as Massive Storm System Leaves At Least 26 Dead Kansas Reports Devastating 8 Fatalities A powerful and relentless storm system has carved a path o

Death toll grows to 33 as destructive storms and violent tornadoes obliterate the South and Midwest - New York Post

Death toll grows to 33 as destructive storms and violent tornadoes obliterate the South and Midwest - New York Post

Death Toll Grows to 33 as Destructive Storms and Violent Tornadoes Obliterate the South and Midwest The heartland of America is reeling from a catastrophic weat

Fierce Storms Spawning Tornadoes Kill at Least 18 - The New York Times

Fierce Storms Spawning Tornadoes Kill at Least 18 - The New York Times

Fierce Storms Spawning Tornadoes Kill at Least 18 Across Multiple States: A New York Times Report A wave of severe weather has swept across the central and sout

Live updates: Violent tornado outbreak underway in South from storm that has killed at least 31 - CNN

Live updates: Violent tornado outbreak underway in South from storm that has killed at least 31 - CNN

Live Updates: Violent Tornado Outbreak Underway in South Leaves Devastation Death Toll Climbs to At Least 31 A catastrophic weather event is unfolding across th

Trump Administration Live Updates: Latest Executive Order and Federal Worker News - The New York Times

Trump Administration Live Updates: Latest Executive Order and Federal Worker News - The New York Times

Trump Administration Live Updates: Latest Executive Order and Federal Worker News - The New York Times The political landscape continues to shift as the former

Live updates: Violent tornado outbreak underway in South from storm that has killed at least 30 - CNN

Live updates: Violent tornado outbreak underway in South from storm that has killed at least 30 - CNN

Live Updates: Violent Tornado Outbreak Underway in South as Deadly Storm System Leaves Devastation A catastrophic weather event continues to unfold across the S

Message from Bay Area doctors: Get vaccinated for measles - The Mercury News

Message from Bay Area doctors: Get vaccinated for measles - The Mercury News

Message from Bay Area Doctors: Get Vaccinated for Measles Urges The Mercury News A growing chorus of alarm is sounding from the Bay Area: doctors are urgently a

Republicans Win Shutdown Showdown, Leaving Democrats Indignant and Divided | Politics | U.S. News - U.S. News & World Report

Republicans Win Shutdown Showdown, Leaving Democrats Indignant and Divided | Politics | U.S. News - U.S. News & World Report

Republicans Win Shutdown Showdown Leaving Democrats Indignant and Divided Washington D.C. – In a dramatic last-minute maneuver Congress narrowly averted a gover

Trump Administration Live Updates: Government Shutdown and Senate News - The New York Times

Trump Administration Live Updates: Government Shutdown and Senate News - The New York Times

Government Shutdown Looms as Senate Weighs Trump-Backed Funding Bill: Live Updates from Washington The specter of a government shutdown hangs heavy over Washing

At least 18 dead after violent tornadoes rip across Missouri, South - Fox Weather

At least 18 dead after violent tornadoes rip across Missouri, South - Fox Weather

Devastating Tornadoes Claim Lives Across Missouri and the South Death Toll Climbs A string of violent tornadoes tore across Missouri and the South on [Date] lea

Iranian general raises prospect of response amid US strikes on Houthis - ABC News

Iranian general raises prospect of response amid US strikes on Houthis - ABC News

Iranian General Raises Prospect of Response Amid US Strikes on Houthis Tensions in the Middle East have escalated following recent US military action in Yemen.

Tracking Trump: The trade war, Ukraine and U.S. strikes against Houthis - Axios

Tracking Trump: The trade war, Ukraine and U.S. strikes against Houthis - Axios

Tracking Trump: Echoes of the Past in Trade Ukraine and U.S. Strikes Against Houthis – An Axios Analysis Donald Trump’s influence on current geopolitical events

Tornado outbreak live updates: 40 tornadoes, 34 dead in cross-country storm system - ABC News

Tornado outbreak live updates: 40 tornadoes, 34 dead in cross-country storm system - ABC News

Cross-Country Tornado Outbreak Claims 34 Lives Leaves Trail of Devastation: Live Updates A ferocious storm system has spawned a devastating tornado outbreak tea

Tornado outbreak live updates: 30 tornadoes, 28 dead in cross-country storm system - ABC News

Tornado outbreak live updates: 30 tornadoes, 28 dead in cross-country storm system - ABC News

Cross-Country Tornado Outbreak Leaves Devastation in its Wake: Live Updates A severe weather system has unleashed a devastating tornado outbreak across multiple

Invocation of the Alien Enemies Act Regarding the Invasion of The United States by Tren De Aragua - The White House

Invocation of the Alien Enemies Act Regarding the Invasion of The United States by Tren De Aragua - The White House

White House Considers Invocation of Alien Enemies Act Amid Concerns Over Tren De Aragua's Activities in the United States The White House is reportedly consider

Trump orders strikes on Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen and issues new warning to Iran - The Associated Press

Trump orders strikes on Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen and issues new warning to Iran - The Associated Press

Trump Orders Strikes on Iran-Backed Houthi Rebels in Yemen Escalating Tensions and Issuing Stark Warning to Iran Washington D.C. – In a dramatic escalation of t

US weather live: More tornadoes hit parts of US, as extreme weather death toll rises to 19 - BBC.com

US weather live: More tornadoes hit parts of US, as extreme weather death toll rises to 19 - BBC.com

Extreme Weather Crisis: Tornadoes Ravage US as Death Toll Climbs The United States is grappling with a severe weather emergency as a relentless barrage of torna

Severe storms in multiple states leave dozens dead and injured - ABC News

Severe storms in multiple states leave dozens dead and injured - ABC News

Severe Storms Devastate Multiple States Leaving Dozens Dead and Injured A series of powerful and unrelenting storms has swept across several states leaving a tr

At least 3 dead as severe storms sweep through the Midwest - ABC News

At least 3 dead as severe storms sweep through the Midwest - ABC News

Midwest Reels as Severe Storms Leave At Least 3 Dead Devastation in Their Wake The Midwest is grappling with the aftermath of intense weather systems that rippe

'Scum,' 'crooked' elections and 'corrupt' media. What Trump said inside the Justice Department - The Associated Press

'Scum,' 'crooked' elections and 'corrupt' media. What Trump said inside the Justice Department - The Associated Press

'Scum' 'Crooked' Elections and 'Corrupt' Media: What Trump Said Inside the Justice Department - The Associated Press The setting was unprecedented the rhetoric

Schumer Under Fire as Pelosi and Other Democrats Criticize Shutdown Retreat - The New York Times

Schumer Under Fire as Pelosi and Other Democrats Criticize Shutdown Retreat - The New York Times

Schumer Under Fire as Pelosi and Other Democrats Criticize Shutdown Retreat – The New York Times Senator Chuck Schumer the Senate Majority Leader is facing inte

Tornado Outbreak Ongoing: Strong Tornadoes, Damaging Wind Gusts, Large Hail Likely Today In The South - The Weather Channel

Tornado Outbreak Ongoing: Strong Tornadoes, Damaging Wind Gusts, Large Hail Likely Today In The South - The Weather Channel

Tornado Outbreak Ongoing: Severe Weather Threatens the South with Strong Tornadoes Damaging Winds and Large Hail A significant weather event continues to unfold

2025 NFL free agency Day 4 winners and losers: Steelers have backup plan at QB as they wait for Aaron Rodgers - CBS Sports

2025 NFL free agency Day 4 winners and losers: Steelers have backup plan at QB as they wait for Aaron Rodgers - CBS Sports

2025 NFL Free Agency Day 4 Winners and Losers: Steelers Solidify QB Depth as Rodgers Watch Continues - CBS Sports The dust continues to settle after a whirlwind

American Airlines flight catches fire at Denver airport - ABC News

American Airlines flight catches fire at Denver airport - ABC News

American Airlines Flight Catches Fire at Denver Airport Prompting Evacuation A dramatic scene unfolded at Denver International Airport Sunday as an American Air

Opinion | Chuck Schumer: Trump and Musk Would Love a Shutdown. We Must Not Give Them One. - The New York Times

Opinion | Chuck Schumer: Trump and Musk Would Love a Shutdown. We Must Not Give Them One. - The New York Times

Schumer Warns Against Shutdown Accuses Trump and Musk of Hoping for One Washington D.C. – Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has issued a stark warning urging

Democratic Rep. Raul Grijalva dead at 77 - Fox News

Democratic Rep. Raul Grijalva dead at 77 - Fox News

Democratic Rep. Raul Grijalva Dead at 77 After Battle with Cancer Democratic Representative Raul Grijalva of Arizona a prominent voice in progressive politics a

The Hitchhiker's Guide to where we stand with a potential government shutdown - Fox News

The Hitchhiker's Guide to where we stand with a potential government shutdown - Fox News

The Hitchhiker's Guide to Avoiding a Government Shutdown: A Fox News Analysis Washington D.C. teeters on the brink. With the clock ticking Congress faces the al

Judge orders Trump administration to reinstate thousands of fired employees at VA, Defense Department and other agencies - CNN

Judge orders Trump administration to reinstate thousands of fired employees at VA, Defense Department and other agencies - CNN

Judge Orders Reinstatement of Thousands of Fired Employees Rebuking Trump-Era Policies A federal judge has delivered a significant blow to policies enacted duri

Houthis say children among 32 killed after US fighter jets bomb Yemen - Al Jazeera English

Houthis say children among 32 killed after US fighter jets bomb Yemen - Al Jazeera English

Houthis Report Children Among 32 Fatalities Following US Airstrikes in Yemen Washington - A recent series of airstrikes in Yemen has sparked renewed controversy

Houthis say children among 31 killed after US fighter jets bomb Yemen - Al Jazeera English

Houthis say children among 31 killed after US fighter jets bomb Yemen - Al Jazeera English

US Airstrikes in Yemen Claim Lives Including Children Houthis Report Washington D.C. – Airstrikes attributed to the United States in Yemen have reportedly resul

Trump invokes 18th century law to speed deportations, judge stalls it hours later - The Associated Press

Trump invokes 18th century law to speed deportations, judge stalls it hours later - The Associated Press

Trump Invokes 18th Century Law to Expedite Deportations Judge Stalls Action Hours Later – The Associated Press A controversial legal maneuver by former Presiden

Trump has ordered airstrikes against rebels in Yemen. Here’s why - The Associated Press

Trump has ordered airstrikes against rebels in Yemen. Here’s why - The Associated Press

Trump Orders Airstrikes Against Rebels in Yemen: Here's Why The Associated Press In a sudden escalation of tensions in the Middle East former President Donald T

15 dead after monster tornadoes sweep through Missouri, Arkansas causing widespread damage - Fox Weather

15 dead after monster tornadoes sweep through Missouri, Arkansas causing widespread damage - Fox Weather

Monster Tornadoes Devastate Missouri and Arkansas: At Least 15 Dead After Violent Outbreak A series of powerful and destructive tornadoes carved a path of destr

US launches wave of air strikes on Yemen's Houthis - BBC.com

US launches wave of air strikes on Yemen's Houthis - BBC.com

US Launches Wave of Air Strikes on Yemen's Houthis Escalating Regional Tensions Washington has initiated a significant series of air strikes targeting Houthi re

Van Jones on Democrats’ ‘volcanic anger’ with Schumer: ‘We need alpha energy’ - The Hill

Van Jones on Democrats’ ‘volcanic anger’ with Schumer: ‘We need alpha energy’ - The Hill

Van Jones Sounds Alarm on Democratic Discontent: We Need Alpha Energy The Democratic party is facing a crisis of confidence with internal tensions reportedly re

Trump Administration Live Updates: Order Aims to Gut 7 Agencies, Including Overseer of Voice of America - The New York Times

Trump Administration Live Updates: Order Aims to Gut 7 Agencies, Including Overseer of Voice of America - The New York Times

Trump Administration Live Updates: Executive Action Targets Federal Agencies Including Voice of America Overseer The Trump Administration is once again making h

I found the MagSafe accessory you didn't know you needed - especially for power users - ZDNet

I found the MagSafe accessory you didn't know you needed - especially for power users - ZDNet

Forget Battery Packs: This MagSafe Accessory is a Game-Changer for iPhone Power Users – As Seen on ZDNet The MagSafe ecosystem promised a new era of convenience

Trump Administration Highlights: Senate Approves Spending Bill to Avert Government Shutdown - The New York Times

Trump Administration Highlights: Senate Approves Spending Bill to Avert Government Shutdown - The New York Times

Senate Approves Spending Bill Averting Government Shutdown: Trump Administration Highlights Washington D.C. - In a move that prevented a looming government shut

Galaxy S26 Ultra camera could bring back one of Samsung's best ideas - SamMobile - Samsung news

Galaxy S26 Ultra camera could bring back one of Samsung's best ideas - SamMobile - Samsung news

Galaxy S26 Ultra Camera: A Return to Form with Variable Aperture? The next iteration of Samsung’s flagship smartphone the Galaxy S26 Ultra could bring back one

Trump Administration Live Updates: Senate Approves Spending Bill to Avert Government Shutdown - The New York Times

Trump Administration Live Updates: Senate Approves Spending Bill to Avert Government Shutdown - The New York Times

Trump Administration Live Updates: Senate Approves Spending Bill to Avert Government Shutdown Washington D.C. – In a crucial move to sidestep a potential fiscal

US government shutdown averted as Senate passes spending bill - BBC.com

US government shutdown averted as Senate passes spending bill - BBC.com

US Government Shutdown Averted as Senate Passes Last-Minute Spending Bill Washington D.C. – The specter of a US government shutdown has receded as the Senate su

Congress averts a shutdown — but Democratic divisions ensue: 5 takeaways - The Hill

Congress averts a shutdown — but Democratic divisions ensue: 5 takeaways - The Hill

Congress Averts a Shutdown — But Democratic Divisions Ensue: 5 Takeaways Washington D.C. – A last-minute bipartisan agreement in Congress averted a government s

Trump, addressing DOJ attorneys, says that those who fight him in court are 'scum' - ABC News

Trump, addressing DOJ attorneys, says that those who fight him in court are 'scum' - ABC News

Trump Lambastes Opponents as 'Scum' During Address to DOJ Attorneys Raising Concerns Donald Trump addressing Justice Department attorneys in a recent visit that