Unprecedented Tornado in the U.S. Leaves at Least 43 Dead

An unprecedented tornado that has swept through the southwestern United States to Canada over the past two days has left at least 43 dead and caused significant damage. According to AFP, following the tornado, hundreds of flights have been suspended, and travel plans for millions of Americans have been canceled due to road closures from snow and flooding. The National Weather Service has warned of blizzard conditions, hail, and flooding in the coming days, while southern regions of the country have been experiencing warm weather since last Wednesday. On Monday, January 7, the agency announced that 21 states in the U.S.—from New Mexico to distant areas in Michigan—are affected by this tornado. Governors of New Mexico, Texas, and Missouri declared a state of emergency across their states on Sunday. Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia also did so on Monday. The tornado has left at least 11 dead in Texas, and as house-to-house searches continue, the death toll is expected to rise. In Mississippi, 10 people have died, 8 in Missouri, 1 in Alabama, and 5 in Illinois. In this state, 8 people had already died before Christmas. According to AFP, the unprecedented tornado in December has destroyed homes, overturned vehicles on highways, and tossed large trucks around like toys. The city of Garland, on the outskirts of Dallas, Texas, has suffered the most damage and casualties, with reports indicating that eight people have died there. Local officials stated that such a tornado occurrence in Garland has been unprecedented since 1950. Reports indicate that over 200 flights have also been canceled at Dallas airport. Tornado occurrences in central U.S. regions are common in spring but unprecedented in winter. In eastern New Mexico, at least 40 centimeters of snow has fallen, and many roads in various areas of the state have been closed.