KATHMANDU: Severe storms wreaked havoc across Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, claiming the lives of at least 14 individuals and causing widespread destruction. In Cooke County, Texas, near the Oklahoma border, a tornado tore through a rural area and a mobile home park, resulting in seven fatalities. Among the victims were two children, ages 2 and 5, and three family members found dead in one home.
The devastation extended to Oklahoma, where storms claimed two lives and caused significant property damage, including destroyed houses. Injuries were reported among attendees of an outdoor wedding. Tens of thousands of residents were left without power across the region, adding to the challenges faced by affected communities.
Residents sought shelter wherever they could, with dozens taking refuge in a restroom at a truck stop near Valley View, Texas. Despite the shelter, the storm inflicted severe damage, tearing off the building's roof and walls and leaving behind a scene of destruction. Emergency responders worked tirelessly to transport injured individuals to hospitals for treatment.
Arkansas also experienced loss and destruction, with at least five reported fatalities. Emergency responders in Boone County worked to assess and address the damage, including the tragic discovery of a 26-year-old woman found dead outside a destroyed home in Olvey. The situation remained dynamic, with search and rescue efforts ongoing across affected areas. Additional fatalities were reported in Benton County and Marion County, underscoring the widespread impact of the storms on the region.
