36 dead from monster storm system charging across US spawning violent tornadoes, dust storm, blizzard

Fast Facts:

• Missouri, Mississippi, Arkansas and Alabama all report deaths from powerful tornadoes.
• Dust storm leaves several dead in Texas and Kansas.
• Preliminary damage surveys found two EF-4 tornadoes touched down.

A powerful storm system that has been sweeping across the central and eastern U.S. has produced violent tornadoes, a dust storm, raging wildfires and even blizzard conditions, tragically leaving at least 36 people dead in its path.

Sunday marked the third and final day of the severe weather outbreak portion of the storm system, as the heavily populated Interstate 95 corridor from the Northeast to Florida is at risk. Hurricane-force winds knocked out power to thousands across parts of the Mid-Atlantic and the threat of tornadoes continued into the night. 

By the third day of the deadly storm system, FOX Weather confirmed 36 deaths caused by the combination of severe weather, tornadoes and dust storm-related crashes.

Tornadoes leave over 20 dead in 4 states

At least 24 people are confirmed dead in four states due to the tornado outbreak that swept across the Midwest and into the Southeast on Friday and Saturday.

Damage surveys continue across half a dozen states. 

So far, the FOX Forecast Center has confirmed 39 tornadoes that touched down since Friday, including two in Arkansas with preliminary ratings of EF-4, one in Cave City, Arkansas, with a preliminary rating of EF-3 and winds of 165 mph. Another EF-3 tornado touched down in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. At least 13 EF-2 tornadoes were also confirmed.

Most of the destruction was found in southeastern Missouri, where officials confirmed at least a dozen deaths from severe weather and tornadoes. Six deaths were confirmed in Wayne County, three in Ozark County and two in Butler and Jefferson counties.

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St. Louis County police said a woman there was found dead near electrical lines in the backyard of her home.

A tornado in Villa Ridge, Missouri, outside of St. Louis, was captured on camera as it caused significant damage. According to storm chasers, the tornado's winds caused numerous power flashes, several semi-trucks to flip and various structures to be damaged.

Tornadoes were also reported in communities such as Rolla, Hartville and areas outside St. Louis. 

In Arkansas, three fatalities were confirmed in Independence County, and 29 people were reported injured in eight counties in connection to a storm system that moved through the state overnight, the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management said.

"As you drive through this community, you see so many neighbors coming out, taking care of each other," Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on Saturday. "The judge himself has been out clearing debris over the course of the last 24 hours."

The National Weather Service in Little Rock found damage consistent with an EF-4 tornado near Diaz in Jackson County with estimated winds of up to 190 mph. Another NWS Little Rock survey found EF-4 damage near Larkin in Izard County with peak winds of 170 mph. 

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said he declared a state of emergency after tornadoes and an earthquake impacted his state over the weekend.

"Tragically, as of now, 6 deaths have been reported – one in Covington County, two in Jeff Davis County and three in Walthall County," Reeves said Saturday night. "Also, as of now, three additional people are currently missing – two from Covington County and one from Walthall County."

And in Alabama, Gov. Kay Ivey said three people in her state were killed during the severe weather.

"Emergency management officials have been working hard to assess the damage brought by this weekend's storms," Ivey said in a statement. "We tragically learned of another victim in Dallas County, which means we've lost three of our fellow Alabamians. I offered condolences to local officials in both areas."

The two other deaths occurred in Plantersville and Winterboro.

In addition, Ivey said damage has been reported in 52 of the state's 67 counties, and damage assessments were continuing.

"The sun has risen in Alabama, though," she continued. "We pray for those lives we lost, as well as those who were injured. And we pray for our first responders, emergency management officials and linemen who are doing incredible work on the ground right now."

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Speaker Mike Johnson offered his condolences as communities began recovery and cleanup efforts after the deadly storms and warned that the threat was not yet over.

"Our prayers are with all those who are affected and with the families mourning their tragic losses," Johnson said in a post on X.

Deadly dust storm slams Plains

Communities across the southern Plains were also impacted by a deadly dust storm as the system was working its way across the central U.S.

On Friday, a combination of damaging winds, dust storms and brush fires created chaos across the region, destroying hundreds of homes and causing vehicle pileups.

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One of the deadliest crashes was reported along Interstate 70 near the Kansas-Colorado state line, where a dust storm, which is believed to have dropped visibility to nearly zero, is being eyed as a contributor to the fatal crash. Troopers said at least 71 vehicles were involved in the incident, and at least eight people were killed as a result.

It took first responders nearly a day to clear the mangled wreckage from the road and reopen travel lanes.

To the south, in Texas and Oklahoma, a similar situation unfolded.

Four people were killed and multiple people were injured in crashes across Oklahoma and Texas as a powerful dust storm fueled by 60-85 mph wind gusts dropped visibility to nearly zero along highways and interstates on Friday afternoon.

Several people were also injured, including two paramedics, after a multi-vehicle crash involved an ambulance amid the intense dust storm near Blackwell, Oklahoma.

Blizzard conditions blast Plains with whiteout conditions

While many parts of the U.S. were preparing for severe weather, to the north, winter weather was a concern.

Residents across the northern Plains and parts of the Midwest faced the powerful winter storm that unleashed strong winds, blowing snow and plummeting temperatures, creating near-blizzard conditions and hazardous travel.

The FOX Forecast Center said wind gusts up to 50-60 mph were expected from the Rockies and High Plains to the western Great Lakes.