Storms, tornadoes, wildfires leave at least 39 dead across US

At least 39 people have lost their lives as severe weather, including tornadoes, dust storms, and wildfires, battered multiple US states over the weekend.

In Oklahoma, wildfires ravaged over 400 homes, with at least 74 houses destroyed in Stillwater alone. Mayor Will Joyce confirmed the destruction in a Facebook post on Sunday night. The Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reported four fatalities linked to the fires and strong winds.

Although tornado watches had mostly expired by Sunday, the National Weather Service warned of lingering hazardous winds in the Carolinas, eastern Georgia, and northern Florida.

In Tylertown, Mississippi, Hailey Hart and her fiancé Steve Romero narrowly survived a tornado while sheltering in their Toyota Celica, which was flipped by the storm. Her grandparents, who took cover in their bathroom, escaped with minor injuries despite trees collapsing their roof.

Forecasters had issued a rare "high risk" warning for the powerful storm system, which began on Friday. While severe weather is unusual in March, it is not unprecedented. President Donald Trump expressed support for affected communities and pledged federal assistance.

Alabama saw three tornado-related deaths, including an 82-year-old woman. In Troy, a local recreation center serving as a shelter sustained storm damage but reported no injuries.

Missouri bore heavy losses, with at least 12 tornado-related fatalities. In Butler County, one home was reduced to a "debris field," according to the local coroner.

In Mississippi, Governor Tate Reeves confirmed six deaths and over 200 displaced residents due to tornadoes. Flooding in the northern part of the state left many stranded. In Covington County, witness Traci Ladner saw a tornado destroy homes and trees as she drove through the area.

Arkansas reported three deaths, while Texas and Oklahoma faced additional devastation from wildfires and dust storms. Oklahoma recorded over 130 wildfires, with winds reaching 70 mph, making containment efforts difficult. Two more lives were lost due to wildfires and extreme weather.

Deadly dust storms in Kansas led to an eight-car pileup, resulting in eight deaths. In Amarillo, Texas, three more people lost their lives due to dust storms.

Rescue and recovery efforts are ongoing as authorities assess the full extent of the damage and work to aid those affected.