At least 6 killed from destructive tornadoes as severe weather outbreak devastates Americas Heartland
A severe weather outbreak is devastating parts of the Plains and Midwest, where at least 6 were killed on Friday evening amid damaging tornadoes and “monster” hail.The massive severe weather threat is targeting more than 63 million people, spanning more than 1,500 miles from Texas to Michigan.Four of those fatalities were reported in two counties in southwestern Michigan, where powerful tornadoes tore through Union City.In Oklahoma, the Okmulgee County Sheriff’s Office confirmed two deaths after severe storms moved through central parts of the state.In Southwestern Michigan, the Branch County Sheriff’s Office announced on Friday evening that at least three deaths have been reported after a strong, dangerous tornado ripped through the Union Lake areaSheriff Frederick A.Blankenship is urging residents to avoid the affected areas to allow emergency personnel to safely conduct response and recovery operations from the area that was battered by severe weather today.This comes on the heels of deadly severe storms that rumbled through the Texas Panhandle and western Oklahoma Thursday. One additional death has been reported in Cass County after a tornado ripped through the southwestern Michigan county, officials announced in a press release.Cass County Emergency Management reports that multiple large structures — including homes and pole barns — have sustained significant damage, with some suffering major structural impacts and others completely destroyedOklahoma Gov.
Kevin Stitt said Friday that a mother and daughter were killed in Major County during Thursday night’s storms.The emergency management department in Fairview, Oklahoma, shared video on social media of a large possible tornado just west of the city late Thursday. The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Norman confirmed at least three tornadoes by midday Friday, with surveys still ongoing.FOX Weather Meteorologist Ari Sarsalari tracked a spotter-confirmed tornado Thursday night ou...