"A Nocturnal nightmare" - Memorial Day weekend severe weather outbreak claims at least 22 lives

A series of severe storms ravaged the central and southern United States over the Memorial Day weekend, claiming at least 22 lives.

Over a dozen states were affected by intense storms and tornadoes, causing substantial damage to infrastructure and leading to widespread power outages. Originating from a low-pressure system that tracked northeast across the Mississippi Valley, these deadly storms impacted much of the Central and Eastern U.S., with fatalities reported in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kentucky.

In Kentucky, Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency and reported five deaths. The small town of Barnsley, Ky., which had previously been hit by a tornado in 2021, endured another devastating tornado on Sunday night. This tornado traveled for 40 miles, leaving parts of Hopkins County in ruins with no utilities and significant infrastructure damage.

Portions of the Plains were also affected by the storms. Seven lives were lost in Cooke County, Texas, where a tornado devastated a mobile home park, and eight people perished across Arkansas. In Mayes County, Oklahoma, two fatalities were reported, including one at an outdoor wedding.

As the storm system continued to move eastward on Monday, tornado watches were issued from North Carolina to Maryland. It is estimated that around one million homes and businesses were without power throughout the weekend.