Massive Storm System Slams Midwest, Southern US
A massive storm system continued to slam the Midwestern and Southern U.S. on Monday, causing serious complications for holiday travelers across the country.
According to the National Weather Service, the surge of tumultuous weather has brought tornadoes and flash flooding throughout much of the Midwest, as well as the threat of heavy rain, ice, and snowfall.
"The storm system will gradually pull away by Tuesday, but flooding and treacherous travel could (linger) into midweek," the National Weather Service said.
Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle all experienced extreme conditions, with the possibility of tornadoes. Missouri and Arkansas faced drenching rain. Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico experienced heavy snowfall. The National Weather Service forecast also called for several inches of snow in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.
CNN reports the extreme weather has already claimed 24 lives. Eleven of the deaths occurred in the Dallas area, this included the northeast city of Garland, where a rampaging twister resulted in eight people being killed and 15 injured. Hundreds of homes and businesses were destroyed or damaged.
Eight deaths also occurred in Missouri, and five in Southern Illinois.
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon warned residents to stay vigilant, warning them to "avoid travel if possible and never drive into a flooded roadway."
Four international soldiers stationed in the Missouri military base Fort Leonard Wood lost their lives due to the extreme flooding conditions. A witness saw their car attempting to drive on a flooded road before being swept downstream.
Authorities later found the vehicle entangled in brush. Two drowned occupants were recovered at the scene, with the bodies of two others found on Sunday morning.
"The possibility of a fifth occupant of the car exists, since an acquaintance of the above men is still missing," the sheriff's office said.
The storm system has threatened to set all-time high flood records in many parts of Missouri. New Mexico also experienced record extremes, with Gov. Susana Martinez declaring a state of emergency after the state picked up 12.4 inches of snow on Sunday, the highest ever experienced.
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