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'Destructive' tornado strikes Arkansas leaving at least 600 injured and 3 dead

The dangerous tornado took place extensively at Arkansas, Illinois, Tennessee and Iowa

LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS: A dangerous tornado passed through Arkansas's Little Rock and various states across the Midwest, including Illinois, Tennessee, and Iowa, killing at least three people and injuring 600. This tornado comes after a monster tornado went through Mississippi and parts of Alabama, killing at least 26 last week.

Many homes were left destroyed as the tornado created havoc across states. Meanwhile, a local area hospital reported treating at least 21 patients, with 5 in critical condition. All had injuries from the tornado that touched down in the Little Rock region.

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At Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services, at least 600 people were injured. However, a second tornado was spotted forming in Des Moines. The tornado affected almost 100 miles of distance. The police chief described it as "dozens being trapped with total destruction all over town." 350,000 people were at risk due to the shocking incident and National Weather Service confirmed the incident and stated it was a "confirmed large and destructive tornado."

How did the destruction begin? 

The tornado began in the western part of the city and later destroyed a small shopping center that included a Kroger grocery store. It then crossed the Arkansas River into North Little Rock and surrounding cities, where widespread damage was reported to homes, businesses, and vehicles. As the destruction kept increasing, medical emergency teams from various parts of the city came in for the rescue. The tornado even left nearly 89,000 customers in Arkansas out of power on Friday afternoon. 32,000 were without power in Oklahoma as well. In Oklahoma City, a suburb of Edmond people were urged to vacate.

"There will be lots of thunderstorms ... tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail. People in those areas should stock emergency supplies, prepare for power outages, avoid getting stranded in places vulnerable to falling trees or severe hail, and park vehicles in garages if possible," said Northern Illinois meteorology professor and tornado expert Victor Gensini. Meanwhile, About 2,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, according to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.

What did the witnesses say? 

Niki Scott, one of the residents claimed that her husband alarmed her of the tornado and she remained inside the bathroom for a long time. She also heard the sounds of glass, and buildings getting scattered. "It's just like everyone says. It got really quiet, then it got really loud," said Scott. One of the famous photographers, Grant Harrison wrote on Instagram, "Crazy afternoon in Little Rock. Family is good b it this was maybe a half a mile from our home. Pray for everyone this tornado impacted. This was near Shackelford and Breckenridge."

Another post on Facebook by Debbie Grooms read, "Tornado that hit Rodney Parham also hit my son’s law office on the bottom floor of the Pulaski Title building on Cantrell. Demolished cars in the parking lot as well. Sucked the roof rack off his car, blew out all the windows and looks like a sledge hammer was used on it! Thank goodness everyone in the building is ok."'

Red Padilla, a singer, and songwriter of the band Red and the Revelers said about the incident, "It was really tense, as per Daily Mail.  “The danger remains high, especially across middle Tennessee, northern Alabama, northern Mississippi and northern Illinois,” explained, Meteorologist Gene Norman. “We’re especially concerned about Nashville and Chicago. Whenever there are storms at night, it is more dangerous, and these storms are moving very quickly, leaving people little time to get to safety once they hear about a warning. So everyone in the threat zone should charge their cell phones and pay attention to weather alerts," as per CNN. 

What is the reaction from the government? 

The town was “cut in half by damage from east to west. We are still in triage mode," said Wynne Mayor Jennifer Hobbs. Arkansas Gov Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency. She wrote on Twitter, "Here at the Capitol I just signed an executive order declaring that a State of Emergency exists in the State of Arkansas due to today’s severe weather. We will spare no resource to assist with response and recovery efforts for Arkansans impacted." Governor of Missouri, Mike Parson wrote on Twitter, "I have signed Executive Order 23-03, activating the Missouri State Emergency Operations Plan and @Missouri_NG in response to severe weather. Parts of Missouri are already experiencing severe weather with more forecasted across the state throughout the evening." Meanwhile, President Joe Biden visited Mississippi to check the situation after the deadly tornado hit the place. 

'Prayers to all for safety '

The Internet reacted quickly to the monster tornado. A user said, " Prayers to all for safety." Another added, " Is anybody really surprised? It's Little Rock." "Sh** it’s rain wrapped too! Not good!" read a comment. a user claimed, "Prayers for those in Arkansas tornado ….grandson Just moved there Tuesday." "Prayers up for everyone in its path!," noted a user. "Thank you for all you do I live near Little Rock God Bless and stay safe!!," wrote another. "They are under a tornado watch in Chicago. This storm is huge.," claimed another. "Stay safe everyone in Northwest Little Rock! This is not the time to take any chances. Follow all emergency protocols and stay sheltered until it's safe to come out. Thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this devastating tornado #PrayForArkansas," added a user. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.