Residents in six Midwest states are picking up the pieces Saturday morning, in the wake of deadly tornado destruction. Overnight, at least 30 massive twisters ripped across Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.
Our hearts are broken for all those suffering from last night’s terrible storms .
I and my team will do all we can to assist local and state officials as they lead the immediate response, and will aggressively help families, businesses, and officials access recovery resources.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) December 11, 2021
Midwest blown away
More than 16 million Americans across the Midwest spent the night on alert for sudden destruction to appear from out of the darkness. While 47 tornadoes are expected on average each year, 30 struck in one night. Forecasters “remain concerned” about thunderstorms in southern Michigan and northern Ohio Saturday morning.
Meteorologists say what caused the freak force of nature started with a buildup of “warmth and humidity.” Then, “the lid came off the atmosphere Friday evening as a cold front moved in from the west” That’s what caused the “explosive thunderstorm development.”
In Tennessee, 136,000 people were left without power.
The situation was the same for 60,000 in Kentucky, 25,000 in Arkansas, 24,000 in Illinois, and 10,000 in Missouri. According to reports the “largest tornado” that struck the Midwest region “tore through more than 220 miles in Kentucky.”
The Kentucky monster is directly responsible for “at least 50 fatalities.” following reports that “a Graves County factory has collapsed, trapping workers.” Governor Andy Beshear issued a state of emergency declaration begging Joe Biden to send help to the Midwest fast.
“One tornado struck the City of Mayfield which is reporting major damages to public facilities, businesses, and residences.” Making things worse, debris “covering emergency vehicle buildings has hampered search and rescue efforts.”
DEVELOPING: At least 2 dead, up to 20 trapped after tornado hits nursing home in Monette, Arkansas
— BNO News (@BNONews) December 11, 2021
A train derailed
Also in Hopkins County, Kentucky, “a train carrying hazardous materials has been derailed.” It takes a lot of wind to blow a train off the tracks. Right now, 17 of the state’s counties are reporting widespread “vegetative and construction debris” covering “a multitude of county, state, and federal routes.”
Other parts of the Midwest were hit just as hard. In Edwardsville, Illinois, an Amazon warehouse which shared space with a candle factory collapsed on top of “more than 100 people.”
About 30 Amazon workers “were bused to the Pontoon Beach Police Department after being rescued.” The collapse occurred just after 9:00 p.m. Friday night. The Madison County Mass Casualty Team was quickly on the scene. At least one patient was transported by life flight helicopter.
Alisha White was on the phone with her family member when the tornado struck the Midwest shipping hub. “He was on the phone with me while it was happening. The tornado was hitting the back of the building, the trucks were coming in, I told him to jump out the truck and duck. We watched the building go up, stuff hitting the cars, I told him I was on my way.”
Not really the kinds of records you want to see broken. The Mayfield, KY tornado has lofted debris over 30,000 feet into the air. That's among the most intense ever record. pic.twitter.com/mIkuZzggHC
— Tyler Hofelich (@T_Hofelich) December 11, 2021
Help on the way to Midwest
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker reached out to all the Midwest states which suffered tragedy as well as his own constituents.
After learning of the devastating tragedy in Edwardsville, he tapped out, “My prayers are with the people of Edwardsville tonight, and I’ve reached out to the mayor to provide any needed state resources.” He also activated the State Emergency Operations Center.
Folks depending on that Amazon Midwest distribution center are going to be a little disappointed but the “safety and well-being of our employees and partners” is top priority of the company.
“We’re assessing the situation and will share additional information when it’s available.”
The Imperial Palace issued a statement Saturday morning, December 11, noting Joe Biden is “working with governors in the affected states to provide the resources that they need.”
Biden was “briefed on the devastating tornadoes across the central U.S. To lose a loved one in a storm like this is an unimaginable tragedy. We’re working with Governors to ensure they have what they need as the search for survivors and damage assessments continue.” National Guard troops will be on the way to the Midwest as fast as they can get there.
