Storm: Tornadoes ravaged several US states

A tornado wreaks havoc in southern Arkansas. Many died and tens of thousands were left without power. Theater roof collapses in Illinois

A large storm system has spawned a tornado in the South and Midwest of the United States. Houses and business premises were damaged, vehicles overturned and trees uprooted. People tried to get to safety. At least one person died in the Arkansas capital of Little Rock, according to officials. About two dozen people were injured, some seriously.

The town of Wynne in eastern Arkansas was also devastated. At least two deaths have been reported from the area. As the cyclone continued to move eastward across the country late in the evening, officials said destroyed homes and people were trapped in the rubble. Power lines and trees are down in Covington, Tennessee, police said.

The roof of the Illinois Theater collapsed

Two more tornadoes were reported in Iowa. Rain fell in Illinois while wind-blown grass fires burned in Oklahoma. Overall, the storm system threatened a large swath of the country of 85 million people – slightly more than the entire Federal Republic.

A tornado ripped through the roof of a theater in Belvidere, Illinois. The city’s fire chief said at least one person was killed and at least 28 were injured. A concert was held at the place. The media reported that it was a heavy metal concert at the Apollo Theatre. Belvidere police said the collapse was caused by heavy storms in the area. Emergency calls were received from the theater from 7.48 pm (local time). The first estimate was that a tornado caused the collapse. Belvidere is about 70 miles northwest of Chicago.

70,000 people are without electricity

There was “significant damage” in central Arkansas, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders wrote on Twitter. He spoke of at least two deaths and dozens of injuries. Local newspaper “Democrat-Gazette” quoted a hospital as reporting that “several” critically injured people were already being treated.

According to the “New York Times” report, the tornado struck near Little Rock, the capital of Arkansas, downing trees and damaging houses. More than 70,000 people are without power statewide, according to the website Poweroutage.us. Governor Sanders wrote that police and rescue workers were on duty to help the injured.

Republicans urged residents to stay safe in the face of more storm warnings from the National Weather Service NWS. Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott wrote of the “devastating” storm on Twitter. Governor Sanders wrote that he had sent the National Guard to support local responders. She also declared a state of emergency.

Biden visits destroyed site in Mississippi

At least 26 people were killed in tornadoes that ripped through Mississippi and Alabama a week ago. On Friday, US President Joe Biden and his wife Jill visited the small town of Rolling Fork, Mississippi, which was particularly hard hit by the hurricane. During the visit, Biden got an idea of ​​the devastation in the community of 2,000 people and met with, among others, the town’s mayor and affected residents.

“You are not alone,” Biden said amid the rubble of destroyed homes and uprooted trees. “The American people will stand by you. They will help you come here — and so will I,” Biden promised. The President announced on Monday the opening of a local disaster center where affected people can seek help.