At Least 21 Dead As Violent Tornadoes Batter Central US

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Facts

  • At least 21 people have died after a series of devastating tornadoes ripped through multiple US states in the South and Midwest on Friday.1
  • A State of Emergency was declared in Arkansas after a number of tornadoes blasted through Little Rock, killing at least two and injuring nearly 30 as the twister flipped cars, smashed roofs, cut power lines, and toppled trees.2
  • In Belvidere, Illinois, at least one person died, and 28 were injured after a powerful storm system and high winds caused the roof of the Apollo Theater and its front awning to collapse on about 260 fans who had gathered to watch metal bands perform.3
  • The Storm Prediction Center issued a Level 5 high risk for severe weather for parts of eastern Arkansas, southwestern Tennessee, northern Mississippi, southeastern Iowa, northwestern Illinois, and northeastern Missouri.4
  • Meanwhile, the northern, colder edge of the storm system is expected to bring heavy snow with winds gusting up to 50 mph to create blizzard-like conditions across the Great Plains, Midwest, South, and East over the weekend.2
  • The latest tornado outbreak comes a week after deadly twisters, with winds of 170 mph, tore through the Southeast and killed at least 26 people in Rolling Fork, Mississippi.4

Sources: 1Al Jazeera, 2Reuters, 3New York Post and 4CNN.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Associated press. This carnage serves as a warning against the rise in global temperatures. We have new visceral evidence of how climate change is increasing the destructive potential of tornadoes, which is why we must act to prevent future tragedies. We must act to stop climate change. We must act fast.
  • Narrative B, as provided by New York Times. There's no real evidence that tornadoes are happening more often due to climate change. While some types of extreme weather can be directly attributed to global warming, more research is needed to conclude climate change directly affects the frequency and power of tornadoes.
  • Narrative C, as provided by The colorado sun. Tornadoes are unavoidable natural disasters whose damage can only be stymied through reinforced infrastructure in tornado-prone areas and early tornado detection. Policies to boost disaster preparedness are crucial to limiting damage once calamity strikes.

Predictions