Death toll may rise to 100 after tornadoes rip through 6 U.S. states

Xinhua News Agency

The death toll may rise to 100 after at least 30 tornadoes swept through six states overnight in the central parts of the United States, including Arkansas, Mississippi, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri.

A candle factory in Kentucky has been completely destroyed, local media reported on Saturday (Dec. 11).

“There were about 110 people in it (candle factory) at the time that the tornado hit it,” Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said. “We believe our death toll from this event will exceed 50 Kentuckians and probably end up 70 to 100.”

Beshear has declared a state of emergency in the area.

Tornadoes also hit a nursing home in Arkansas and took off the roof of an Amazon warehouse in Illinois, causing certain fatalities. Another nursing home and a fire station in Trumann of Tennessee also caused substantial damage.

It was the worst tornado that touched down in northeastern Arkansas and stayed on the ground for about 223 miles into Kentucky, and most likely the longest reported tornado in history, local media reported.

According to PowerOutage.US, at least 331,549 utility customers in four states were left without power.

Issuing a tornado warning on Friday, the National Weather Service said at least 25 million people were under threat from massive thunderstorm systems. (Xinhua) – jlo

Popular

Gov’t remains ‘relentless’ in supporting PH Air Force — PBBM

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed his administration’s continued support to the Filipino airmen and airwomen as the Philippine Air Force (PAF)...

PBBM ‘rings’ CMEPA into effectivity

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet Investments serve as the lifeblood of a successful and progressive nation, paving the way for an economy that adopts to the...

‘Best is yet to come’: PBBM rallies Alex Eala after WTA finals debut

By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency On Sunday, June 29, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. offered words of encouragement to tennis sensation Alex...

DOH opens online mental health support for Filipinos in Israel

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora | Philippine News Agency The Department of Health (DOH) is extending psychosocial support to overseas Filipinos in Israel affected by...