600 injured in severe tornado in Arkansas

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The southern US state of Arkansas was hit by a severe tornado on Friday. The local rescue service assumes at least 600 injured, a local broadcaster reports on Friday.

According to official information, the tornado also caused significant destruction. “Considerable damage” has been done in the center of the state, writes Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (40) Friday in the short message service Twitter. The local newspaper “Democrat-Gazette” reported, citing a hospital, that “several” wounded in critical condition were already being treated.

70,000 people without power

Just a few days ago, a tornado killed 13 people in Mississippi, which borders Arkansas. As the New York Times reported, the tornado struck near Little Rock, the capital of Arkansas, downing trees and damaging homes. More than 70,000 people across the country were without power, according to the Poweroutage.us website.

Police and rescue workers are on hand to assist the injured, Governor Sanders wrote. The Republican urged residents to stay safe despite new storm warnings from the National Weather Service NWS.

Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, 39, wrote on Twitter about a “devastating” storm. Gov. Sanders wrote that it sent the National Guard to support local aid workers.

Tornadoes are difficult to predict. They are relatively common in the United States, especially in the center and south of the country. Last weekend, a hurricane in the state of Mississippi, which borders Arkansas, caused massive damage, especially in the town of Rolling Fork, killing 13 people. In December 2021, about 80 people died in tornadoes in the state of Kentucky.

Biden stands by those affected

On Friday, US President Joe Biden, 80, and his wife Jill visited the small town of Rolling Fork, Mississippi, which was particularly hard hit by the tornado.

During the visit, the Bidens got a sense of the devastation in the 2,000-resident community and met with the city’s mayor and affected residents, among others. “You are not alone,” Biden said among the rubble of destroyed homes and uprooted trees. “The American people will stand by you. It will help you get through this — and so will I,” Biden promised. The president announced Monday the opening of a local disaster center where affected residents can seek help. (SDA)

Source: Blick