A series of powerful tornadoes tore through parts of the Midwest late Tuesday evening, killing at least 36 people and injuring hundreds more as entire communities were flattened in one of the deadliest severe weather outbreaks in recent years.
The storms, which struck multiple states including Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, left a trail of destruction spanning hundreds of miles. Search and rescue operations are ongoing as emergency crews work through the rubble of collapsed homes, schools, and businesses.
The hardest-hit area was near Springfield, Missouri, where a violent EF-4 tornado with winds exceeding 170 mph struck just after 9 p.m., carving a wide path of destruction through residential neighborhoods. Officials there have confirmed 19 deaths, including several children.
“This is a heartbreaking and catastrophic event,” Missouri Governor Emily Sanchez said during a press briefing early Wednesday. “Our emergency teams are working around the clock to rescue survivors and support the families who have lost so much.”
Entire blocks have been reduced to splinters, and thousands of residents remain without power or access to clean water. Emergency shelters have been set up in local schools, churches, and community centers.
In Illinois, 11 people were killed in and around the city of Decatur, where two tornadoes touched down within 30 minutes of each other. Hospitals in the area are overwhelmed, with many patients being airlifted to neighboring cities.
The National Weather Service had issued tornado watches and warnings throughout the day, but many residents said the storms moved so quickly that they had little time to take cover.
Meteorologists are comparing the outbreak to some of the deadliest in U.S. history. “This system had all the ingredients for large, violent tornadoes: warm air, high moisture, and extreme wind shear,” said NWS lead meteorologist Karen Doyle.
President Joe Biden has spoken with governors in the affected states and pledged federal assistance. FEMA has been deployed to assist with recovery and relief efforts.
Climate scientists have warned that extreme weather events like these could become more frequent and intense due to a warming atmosphere, though it’s too early to draw a direct link between this outbreak and climate change.
As the sun rises over the devastation, communities are beginning the painful task of recovery. But for many, the road to rebuilding will be long and filled with grief.
“We lost everything,” said Ashley Grant, a mother of three in Springfield who survived by huddling in her basement. “But we’re alive. And somehow, we’ll start over.”