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Weekend deadly storms took the lives of at least 32 people across nearly a dozen states

April 3, 2023 | | Print Article

Deadly storms took the lives of at least 32 people across nearly a dozen states and, as survivors surveyed the damage, early forecasts indicated more trouble was on the way.

More than 60 tornadoes had been tallied thus far in the wake of storms that ravaged the country Friday night into Saturday throughout the South, Midwest, and even all the way to Delaware, leading to “an expedited major disaster declaration” from President Joe Biden.

According to the Associated Press, confirmed deaths included four in Illinois, five in Indiana and at least nine in one Tennessee county. Other states among the 11 impacted by the devastating weather were Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, and Mississippi while some reports were being investigated of touchdowns in New Jersey.

As previously reported, individuals from across the country had shared their personal experiences with footage of the numerous tornadoes, including one reporter who was driving when his vehicle was picked up and tossed off the road.

The widespread damage had impacted thousands of homes and businesses including more than 2,600 buildings that were in the path of one tornado alone near Little Rock, Arkansas. Fresh off his trip to Rolling Fork, Mississippi Friday where he saw firsthand what tornadoes had done to communities a week prior, Biden issued a statement Sunday detailing actions taken across the country.

“Early this morning, I approved an expedited major disaster declaration to quickly provide Federal assistance to the people of Arkansas. This weekend, I reached out to Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois and spoke with Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr., and Wynne Mayor Jennifer Hobbs of Arkansas as well as Governor John Carney of Delaware to let them know that my administration will do everything we can to help, as long as it takes,” he said.

“We are working closely with the state of Indiana and other impacted states as they assess damages, and stand ready to respond to any additional requests for Federal assistance,” Biden added.

While the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had teams deployed, the National Weather Service predicted more severe weather for Tuesday that could include more tornadoes throughout the affected areas.

“Widespread severe weather, including strong tornadoes, is still expected from the ArkLaTex into the Mid-Mississippi Valley on Tuesday (4/4). Continue to be weather aware in these areas and keep up to date with our forecast updates in the coming days,” a Sunday update read with an early Monday report indicating strong signs of tornadoes in the Upper Midwest.

“These storms could pose a risk for a few strong tornadoes, large hail and damaging wind gusts,” they noted and raised caution in Missouri as well.

“There’s nothing we can do to heal the hole left in the hearts of far too many families who lost loved ones this weekend,” Biden said, “but we will be there every step of the way as they rebuild and recover.”

Kevin Haggerty
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