Emergency responders are grappling with the aftermath of deadly storms that ravaged communities across Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming the lives of at least 15 people. The severe weather, including tornadoes and powerful winds, tore through homes, buildings, and a truck stop where dozens sought shelter during the onslaught.

In Cooke County, Texas, near the Oklahoma border, seven fatalities were reported after a tornado ripped through a rural area, causing devastation near a mobile home park. Additional casualties were reported in Oklahoma, where storms destroyed houses and injured guests attending an outdoor wedding. Texas Governor Greg Abbott noted that over 100 people were injured by the Saturday tornado, with more than 200 homes and buildings destroyed and another 100 damaged. The governor expressed concerns that these numbers could rise as damage assessments continue.

Sheriff Ray Sappington of Cooke County confirmed the deaths of seven individuals, including two children, ages 2 and 5, who were part of the same family. The community of Valley View, located near the Oklahoma border, was particularly hard hit, with search and rescue operations underway to locate missing individuals. Parts of the county were left in ruins, with officials anticipating a rise in the death toll as recovery efforts progress.

Elsewhere in Arkansas, at least five people lost their lives, with one woman found dead outside a destroyed home in Olvey. In Benton County, another fatality was reported, with multiple injuries and ongoing emergency responses. Oklahoma also suffered casualties, with the exact details of the two deaths in Mayes County yet to be disclosed by officials.

Without power and facing significant property damage, residents of the affected regions are reeling from the impact of the storms. The severe weather also prompted Red Flag fire warnings in several states, including West Texas and New Mexico, due to low humidity and high winds. The perilous conditions have raised concerns about the risk of wildfires spreading rapidly.

As the holiday weekend unfolded, millions of travelers faced disruptions due to the extreme weather. Forecasters predict more severe storms in states like Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee, with North Carolina and Virginia bracing for potential severe weather threats. The unsettling weather patterns underscore the heightened risk of severe storms and natural disasters, with climate change exacerbating the frequency and intensity of such events.