At least 21 dead after violent tornadoes hit South and Midwest as powerful storm heads for East Coast
A POWERFUL storm spawned a series of tornadoes that ravaged the South and Midwest, leaving cities destroyed and at least 21 dead.
The tornadoes hit various locations across the country, with several states reporting deaths.
Multiple tornadoes hit major cities and small towns last night[/caption]
The tornadoes destroyed houses, schools and properties[/caption]
The storm system, which has since caused tornadoes to travel as far north as New Jersey, has affected towns and cities alike, The Associated Press reported.
Tennessee reported seven deaths in one county alone.
“The damage and loss suffered by our community last night was catastrophic,” said the McNairy County Adamsville Police Department.
Arkansas reported five deaths, Illinois four.
Indiana reported that three had died from the storm.
Mississippi reported one death in Pontotoc County and Alabama said one person died in Madison County.
Communities and cities experienced widespread devastation, with residents of the small town of Wynne, Arkansas reporting that the local high school had its roof smashed in and windows blown out.
“We could feel the house shaking, we could hear loud noises, dishes rattling,” said Ashley Macmillan, who was hiding in her bathroom with her husband, children and dogs.
“And then it just got quiet.”
Illinois residents were at a heavy metal concert at the Apollo Theater when the storm hit Belvidere.
A roof collapsed, trapping a 50-year-old man who was rescued by concert-goers.
“They pulled someone out of the rubble and I sat with him and I held his hand and I said (told him), ‘It’s going to be okay.’ I didn’t really know much more what to do,” said one of the women at the concert.
Police reported that 60 to 100 families were displaced in Crawford County, Illinois.
“We had emergency teams digging people out of their basements because the house collapsed above them, but luckily they had this safe place to go,” Sheriff Bill Rutan said.
Authorities said it could take a few days to determine how many tornadoes have hit towns and cities.
Affected states include Illinois, Arkansas, Tennessee and Indiana[/caption]
Many families were displaced after the storm destroyed their homes[/caption]
https://www.the-sun.com/news/7774869/tornadoes-dead-storm-east-coast/ At least 21 dead after violent tornadoes hit South and Midwest as powerful storm heads for East Coast