At least 34 people have lost their lives as tornadoes and extreme weather wreak havoc across the U.S. Southeast, leaving behind widespread destruction and mass power outages.

Missouri has reported 12 fatalities, while Mississippi, Arkansas, and Georgia have declared states of emergency as the deadly storms continue to sweep through the region.

Missouri’s Emergency Management Agency confirmed that 19 tornadoes tore through 25 counties, causing catastrophic damage.

“It was unrecognizable as a home—just a debris field,” said Butler County Coroner Jim Akers, describing the devastation left behind after a tornado ripped apart a house.

In Mississippi, Governor Tate Reeves reported six deaths as multiple tornadoes ravaged the state, triggering urgent flash flood warnings. The National Weather Service (NWS) has labeled the situation “particularly dangerous”, warning of “multiple intense to violent long-track tornadoes” still developing.

Beyond the Southeast, deadly storms have also caused chaos in the Midwest. In Kansas, a massive 55-vehicle pile-up caused by a dust storm left eight people dead. A similar dust storm in Texas led to a 38-car crash, killing four.

“We couldn’t even tell they were all together until the dust settled,” said Sgt. Cindy Barkley of Texas’ Public Safety Department.

As emergency crews continue rescue efforts, authorities warn that severe weather conditions are far from over, urging residents to remain vigilant.