The threat of severe storms is expected to continue Saturday across much of the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys. At least eight people have lost their lives this week as extreme weather impacted Michigan and Oklahoma.
Air Travel Disruptions Across the Nation
Severe weather has caused the cancellation of over 1,000 flights nationwide, with the largest disruptions at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport. Earlier in the day, Nashville International, Dallas Fort Worth, Dallas Love Field, and Austin airports experienced ground stops due to weather conditions. LaGuardia Airport continues to enforce a ground stop, with more delays and disruptions expected as storms move east.
High Temperatures Fuel Storms
The severe weather is being fueled by well-above-average temperatures spreading across the region, with some areas likely to break daily high-temperature records.
Tornado Destruction in Michigan and Oklahoma
Michigan experienced a powerful tornado in the city of Three Rivers, causing significant damage and prompting ongoing emergency response efforts in Fabius Township and surrounding areas. The National Weather Service is currently assessing the tornado’s rating.
In Oklahoma, a tornado struck the city of Beggs, located about 21 miles south of Tulsa, killing two and injuring two others. The National Weather Service reported that debris from the tornado was visible on radar as the storm passed through. In response, Governor Kevin Stitt declared a state of emergency for eight Oklahoma counties to ensure residents have access to support and resources.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer also issued a state of emergency for Branch, Cass, and St. Joseph counties as search and rescue operations continue. Residents are urged to avoid affected areas while efforts are expected to conclude Saturday.
Additional Tornado and Storm Reports
A likely tornado southwest of Prospect in Marrion County, Texas, injured two people. In Nevada County, Arkansas, a trailer was lifted by a probable tornado near Willisville, injuring one person. The Shreveport office of the National Weather Service confirmed a tornado debris signature associated with the storm in this area.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 2:00 p.m. CT for central and eastern Arkansas, the Missouri Bootheel, northern Mississippi, and western Tennessee. Cities under this watch include Little Rock, Greenville, and Memphis.
Fatalities and Injuries in Michigan
On Friday, a 12-year-old boy in Michigan died from injuries sustained during a possible tornado in Cass County. Multiple homes and structures, including pole barns, suffered damage ranging from major structural harm to total destruction in southwest Michigan. Branch County officials reported at least three fatalities and 12 injuries, while Cass County confirmed one death and several injuries.
Confirmed Tornadoes and Wind Damage
Since Thursday night, the National Weather Service has confirmed six tornadoes — two in Kansas and four in Oklahoma. One tornado on U.S. Highway 60 near Fairview, Oklahoma, killed a mother and daughter, Jodie and Lexie Owens, and was classified as an EF2 with peak winds estimated between 115 to 120 mph.
Additional storm-related injuries have been reported from damaging winds, including incidents in Columbus, Kansas, where part of a house was blown away, and near Lamar Heights, Missouri, where strong winds overturned a semi-truck.
