US tornadoes: At least 11 dead and dozens injured as twisters cause destruction in states including Arkansas and Illinois

Violent thunderstorms batter the south and Midwest regions of the US - home to some 85 million people - with more intense storms forecast.

Niamh Lynch

News reporter @niamhielynch

Saturday 1 April 2023 15:44, UK

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Drone captures tornado destruction
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At least 11 people have been killed after tornadoes ploughed through areas of the US south and Midwest.

One of the victims died after a theatre roof collapsed during a heavy metal gig in Belvidere, Illinois, with several dozen injured and people having to be dug from the rubble.

In Arkansas, governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders called up the state's national guard and declared an emergency as a tornado damaged homes and vehicles in the Little Rock area.

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The fallen marquee is seen at the front entrance of the Apollo Theatre where a roof collapsed during a tornado in Belvidere, Ill., during a heavy metal concert, late Friday, March 31, 2023. Belvidere Fire Department Chief Shawn Schadle said 260 people were in the venue at the time. (AP Photo/Mattt Marton)
Image: The roof of the Apollo Theatre in Belvidere collapsed. Pic: AP

Four people died in the Arkansas town of Wynne, while there was another fatality in the state's Pulaski County.

"Praying for all those who were and remain in the path of this storm," tweeted Ms Huckabee Sanders on Friday night.

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Deadly tornado sweeps through Arkansas

"Arkansans must continue to stay weather aware as storms are continuing to move through."

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Dozens more are believed to have been injured in the state but exact numbers are currently unclear.

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Sherwood, Ark. Police and firefighters get help from volunteers clearing downed trees on Keihl Avenue after storms ripped through the area, Friday, March 31, 2023
Image: Volunteers clear downed trees in Sherwood, Arkansas. Pic: AP
An apartment complex on Cantrell Road was severely damaged by a tornado Friday, March 31, 2023 in Little Rock, Ark. A monster storm system tore through the South and Midwest on Friday, spawning tornadoes that shredded homes and shopping centers, overturned vehicles and uprooted trees as people raced for shelter (Stephen Swofford/Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP)
Image: An apartment complex in Little Rock, Arkansas. Pic: AP

Richard Dennis, the police chief in Wynne - around 100 miles east of Little Rock, told local TV there was "total destruction throughout the town" with dozens of people trapped.

The twister was caused by violent thunderstorms battering the south and Midwest regions of the US - home to some 85 million people.

Three more people died in Sullivan County in Indiana.

The aftermath of a tornado in Coralville, Iowa. Pic: AP
Image: The aftermath of a tornado in Coralville, Iowa. Pic: AP

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Twister tears through city of Little Rock

Tornadoes were also reported in Iowa, while some people in Oklahoma City had to evacuate their homes after the wind whipped up grass fires.

Meteorologists are forecasting another batch of intense storms on Tuesday in the same large area.

The tornadoes came as President Biden toured the aftermath of another deadly tornado that struck Mississippi a week ago, killing at least 21 people and damaging around 2,000 homes.

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