Big March storm fans wildfires and kills 3 as forecasters fear weekend tornado outbreak
A sprawling storm system crossing the US on Friday caused deadly crashes, damaged buildings and fanned more than 100 wildfires in several central states, prompting evacuation orders in some communities.Nearly a half dozen tornadoes were reported in Missouri, and threats of more loomed for the Mississippi Valley into the night and the Deep South on Saturday.The National Weather Service warned of extreme weather across a vast swath of the country that is home to more than 100 million people.Powerful winds gusting up to 80 mph were forecast from the Canadian border to Texas.Three people were killed Friday in car crashes caused by a dust storm in the Texas Panhandle, according to Sgt.Cindy Barkley of the state’s department of public safety.“It’s been a nightmare out here,” Barkley said, adding that it was difficult to assess many of the crashes due to the near-zero visibility.Nearly 150 fires were reported in Oklahoma, Andy James, Oklahoma Forestry Services fire management chief, told KOCO-TV.The State Patrol said on the social platform X that winds toppled several tractor-trailers.“This is terrible out here,” Charles Daniel, a truck driver hauling a 48-foot trailer along Interstate 40 in western Oklahoma, said of the high winds.
“There’s a lot of sand and dirt in the air.I’m not pushing it over 55 mph.
I’m scared it will blow over if I do.”Forecasters said the severe storm threat would continue into the weekend with a high chance of tornadoes and damaging winds Saturday in Mississippi and Alabama.Heavy rain could bring flash flooding to some parts of the East Coast on Sunday.Experts say it’s not unusual to see such weather extremes in March.“What’s unique about this one is its large size and intensity,” said Bill Bunting of the weather service’s Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma.“And so what that is doing is producing really substantial impacts over a very large area.”The National Weather Service said at least five tor...