A severe weather outbreak has hit the Midwest and Mississippi Valley, affecting around 170,000 properties. This event, which took place from March 13 to 16, included at least 98 tornadoes across the central and southern United States. CoreLogic, a data analytics firm, estimates that the reconstruction costs for the properties in the tornado paths could reach nearly $33 billion.
Missouri was heavily impacted, with over 50,000 properties in the tornado’s path. About 10,700 of these homes have a high probability of suffering significant damage. Mississippi followed with around 31,000 properties at risk, while Alabama and Illinois had 20,000 and 16,000 properties, respectively.
In addition to the tornadoes, dry and windy conditions in Oklahoma and Texas have fueled wildfires. These fires have destroyed more than 400 homes and burned at least 170,000 acres in Oklahoma alone.
On March 14, a severe dust storm in western Kansas caused a massive 71-car pileup on Interstate 70. Dust storms also affected Amarillo, Texas, leading to several vehicle accidents, with wind gusts reaching up to 85 mph in some areas.
Experts note that the U.S. is currently experiencing a weak La Niña, which can lead to increased severe weather earlier in the year than usual. This weather pattern may have contributed to the recent storms and tornado activity.
As communities begin to assess the damage, the focus will be on recovery and rebuilding efforts in the affected regions.