In March 2025, severe outbreaks hit Missouri, Arkansas and Mississippi, killing 18 people and causing extensive damage. Find the latest information on Missouri winds, the Rolla storm scene, power outages, and the crisis in the southern counties through March 15th.

Villa Ridge tornado, Cave City Arkansas, Mississippi tornadoes, 

Missouri winds and severe storms killed 18 people in three states

The severe weather outbreak that began on Friday, March 14, 2025 swept across the US heartland, killing at least 18 people in Missouri, Arkansas and Mississippi as of Saturday, March 15th. The worst damage in Missouri, where State Commander Brad Hudson said—"a third of the state affected by storms, strong winds and debris." Missouri's Highway Patrol confirmed 11 deaths and three were reported from Arkansas and Mississippi. The views of overturned tractor trailers in Rolla, Missouri, and demolished homes in Cave City, Arkansas, are stunning. The storm system is threatening the southern regions as it heads east—here are the latest details on the event.

Missouri storm: Destruction and deaths in the Southeast

Southeast Missouri has seen its worst storms in 2025, with many tornadoes coming through Friday night and into Saturday. The Missouri Highway Patrol reported six deaths in Wayne County, three in Ozark County and two in Butler and Jefferson counties. A woman was found dead near a power line in St. Louis County. Senator Brad Hudson told Fox Weather—"We've had many casualties... 160+ poles down. Power outages will go away for many days." Video evidence from Rolla, Missouri and Villaridge counties showed chaos, where the wind pushed into a gas station following the storm.

The Rolla-Missouri storm: dramatic scenes and damage details

Tad Peters pushed through his terrible wind encounter Friday night at a gas station near I-44 in Rolla, Missouri. "We're in the middle of the wind!" he cried as debris and showers destroyed his truck. The wind damaged a nearby Love Station and overturned tractor-trailers, but Peters and his companion were safe. The Missouri State Defense Force confirmed widespread destruction (damaged buildings, downed power lines) in Rolla County. Marys County Emergency Management requested that residents stay away—"let first responders do their job."

Villaridge and beyond: Wind down I-44

Photographed by Chicago Storm Watchers Friday night in the storm at Villa ridge, Missouri, west of St. Louis. She tore through I-44, overturning semi-trucks, smashing buildings and causing lightning. Other storms in regions near Hartville and St. Louis debris roads east of Springfield, according to Webster County Emergency Management. Governor Mike Kehoe said—19 tornadoes possible in 25 Missouri counties, according to Saturday morning assessments.

Arkansas hurricane damage: 3 dead, 29 injured

In Arkansas, Friday night's storm in Independence County killed 3 people and injured 29 in 8 counties. 5 injured in 165 mph EF3 tornado (NWS confirmed) at Cave City, Arkansas. Mayor Jonas Anderson said—"It's a divine miracle that no one died," he declared a state of emergency as he began the cleanup. The city's automatic organ store has also become a garbage dump.

Mississippi tornado kills 3 near Darban

Mississippi is not safe either—on Saturday, March 15, 2025, 3 residents near Darban were killed, many injured. The Jackson-based National Weather Service tracked a large storm north of Kruger Friday night that was part of 30+ storms in the last 24 hours. The storm's advance puts Mississippi at "high risk" for severe winds Saturday evening—Jackson and Hattiesburg in danger.

Southwest Indiana: Severe impact in Gibson County

Severe tornadoes wreaked havoc Friday night in Gibson County in southwestern Indiana. Evansville resident Jay Burden pictured the wind heading toward Oakland City, telling Fox Weather—"that everyone got advance notice."