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At least three people are dead and several others are hospitalized after multiple brutal tornadoes struck multiple states in the South and Midwest of the United States including North Little Rock in the US state of Arkansas on Friday, as reported by CNN. According to a Pulaski County spokesperson Madeline Roberts, at least 50 people have been hospitalized due to the tornado in Pulaski County as well, but they “expect more”. Rescuers were rushed to the area to provide aid to residents and hospitals, as reported by the news agency AFP.
The tornado had touched down near the state capital, Little Rock, and had torn down trees and damaged houses, as reported by The New York Times. More than 70,000 people were left without power across the state, according to Poweroutage.us. According to CNN, there have been 40 preliminary reports of tornadoes across Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Tennessee and Mississippi as of Friday night, as per Storm Prediction Center.
Severe storms have downed power lines and trees and caused major damage to homes and businesses in the Springfield suburb of Sherman, Illinois, Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell told CNN. A spokesperson at the University of Arkansas hospital told AFP that the hospital was also on standby.
“We haven’t seen people come in quite yet but we know that emergency services have had trouble reaching people because of downed trees,” the spokesperson said, as quoted by AFP. “We expect people to come throughout the night.” A week ago, a tornado swept through Rolling Fork, a small town in Mississippi, killing 13 people and causing extensive property damage. US President Joe Biden visited the area on Friday. In December 2021, about 80 people died due to tornadoes in Kentucky.
In the wake of severe weather conditions, Governor of Arkansas Sarah Huckabee Sanders has activated the Arkansas National Guard, CNN reported. Sanders noted “widespread damage” in Wynne and has been in touch with local officials in the area. “Praying for the safety of all Arkansans who are in the path of these storms,” Sanders said on Twitter.
Widespread damage in Wynne. I’ve been in touch with local officials for updates and to direct state resources. Please follow the direction of local authorities.
Praying for the safety of all Arkansans who are in the path of these storms.
— Sarah Huckabee Sanders (@SarahHuckabee) March 31, 2023
She also said that the state will “spare no resources” in responding and recovering from the storm. Earlier on Friday, the governor declared a state of emergency in Arkansas due to severe storms and at least two confirmed tornado touchdowns.
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