Severe March Storm Fuels Wildfires and Claims 3 Lives as Forecasters Warn of Possible Tornado Outbreak This Weekend

OKLAHOMA CITY—A massive storm system traversing the U.S. on Friday resulted in tragic accidents, structural damage, and ignited over 100 wildfires across various central states, leading to evacuation orders in certain areas. More than a dozen tornadoes were reported in Missouri and Arkansas, with further tornado threats expected for the Mississippi Valley through the night and into the Deep South on Saturday.

The National Weather Service cautioned of severe weather affecting a broad region encompassing over 100 million people. High winds reaching up to 80 mph (130 kph) were predicted from the Canadian border down to Texas.

On Friday, three individuals lost their lives in vehicular accidents caused by a dust storm in the Texas Panhandle, as stated by Sgt. Cindy Barkley of the state’s public safety department.

“It’s been a nightmare out here,” Barkley remarked, noting the challenges in evaluating many accidents due to near-zero visibility.

Nearly 150 fires were reported in Oklahoma, according to Andy James, fire management chief for Oklahoma Forestry Services, in comments to KOCO-TV. The State Patrol noted on the social media platform X that strong winds overturned multiple tractor-trailers.

“This is terrible out here,” expressed Charles Daniel, a truck driver navigating a 48-foot (14.6-meter) trailer along Interstate 40 in western Oklahoma. “There’s a lot of sand and dirt in the air. I’m not going over 55 mph. I fear it may topple over if I do.”

Weather experts indicated that the severe storm risks would extend into the weekend, with a significant likelihood of tornadoes and damaging winds on Saturday across Mississippi and Alabama. Heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding in certain areas on the East Coast on Sunday.

Experts assert that such extreme weather in March is not uncommon.

“What sets this event apart is its immense size and intensity,” stated Bill Bunting of the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma. “This is resulting in considerable impacts across an extensive area.”

Tornadoes Strike Amid Storm Outbreak

The National Weather Service reported witnessing at least 17 tornadoes by evening, including one in Saint Louis, Missouri, and another considered an emergency situation in the Van Buren, Missouri area.

“This is a life-threatening situation. Seek shelter now!” the agency cautioned on X.

The Storm Prediction Center indicated that rapidly moving storms could generate tornadoes and hail the size of baseballs, but the primary threat would stem from straight-line winds reaching or surpassing hurricane force, with gusts of up to 100 mph (160 kph) possible.

A tornado watch was issued until 11 p.m. for central and eastern Missouri, encompassing St. Louis, along with portions of Illinois and Arkansas.

Other regions at risk included areas of Iowa, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi.

Approximately 47 million people faced an elevated to moderate severe storm threat from Madison, Wisconsin, to Birmingham, Alabama.

Forecasts raised concerns that intense thunderstorms further south would likely pose an even greater tornado threat on Saturday.

The Storm Prediction Center expressed high risk levels for parts of Mississippi, including Jackson and Hattiesburg, and areas of Alabama like Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. Severe storms and tornadoes are also a possibility in eastern Louisiana, western Georgia, central Tennessee, and the western Florida Panhandle.

“We have strong confidence that we are very likely to experience a tornado outbreak tomorrow,” stated Storm Prediction Center meteorologist Evan Bentley during an online briefing.

Several structures sustained damage from the storm, including a strip mall in Rolla, Missouri, where a tornado touched down Friday afternoon.

Wildfires Erupt Amid Warm, Dry Conditions

Wildfires in the Southern Plains faced rapid spread due to the warm, arid conditions and strong winds, prompting evacuation orders for some communities in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and New Mexico.

A fire in Roberts County, Texas, northeast of Amarillo, quickly expanded from less than a square mile to an estimated 32.8 square miles, according to the Texas A&M University Forest Service on X. Fire crews managed to stop its progress by evening.

Approximately 60 miles south, another fire spread to about 3.9 square miles before its advance was contained in the afternoon.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management activated its emergency operations center in response to several fast-moving fires that necessitated evacuations in Leedey and rural areas east of Norman.

Firefighters had been pre-positioned in certain sections, which helps officials quickly address fires, according to James. Additionally, firefighting aircraft were deployed in some parts of Oklahoma and Texas but were generally grounded due to low visibility caused by smoke and dust.

By evening, the National Weather Service reported a “complex of extremely dangerous fires” located northeast of Oklahoma City, near Stillwater, and urged some residents in the city to evacuate. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued via social media, affecting homes, hotels, and a Walmart.

Jennifer Thompson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Norman, described the fire conditions in the central and northern regions of the state as historic and highly unusual.

Roughly 120 miles of Interstate 70 in western Kansas was closed due to blowing dust and restricted visibility, while other roads in the eastern part of the state were shut down amid wildfires and smoke.

A dust storm in Amarillo County, Texas, led to a multi-vehicle crash involving approximately 38 cars.

“It’s the worst I’ve ever seen,” noted Barkley. “We couldn’t even see they were all together until the dust settled somewhat.”

Officials called for residents in parts of central Missouri’s Camden County to evacuate due to wildfires, while the State Highway Patrol warned on social media that the flames were encroaching upon homes and businesses.

High winds also caused power outages for more than 216,000 homes and businesses across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri, as reported by poweroutage.us.

Blizzard Warnings in the Northern Plains

The National Weather Service issued blizzard warnings for areas of far western Minnesota and far eastern South Dakota starting early Saturday. Snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches were anticipated, with up to a foot possible.

Winds gusting to 60 mph were expected to create whiteout conditions. Combined with a light glaze of ice, travel in these areas could prove hazardous.

By Sean Murphy and Russ Bynum