Tornado Outbreak - 3/15/25 🌪

Mar 15
5 min read

Updated: May 17

Updated 03/26/25 @ 1315hrs CST:

Multiple states have experienced damaging high winds and 113 tornados (including three EF4s, eleven EF3s and several long-track tornados). In total, over 3,100 homes have been damaged or destroyed by this tornado outbreak that is being called the Pi-Day Tornado Outbreak and is now the second largest tornado outbreak in history. The confirmed tornado/storm death toll is at 38. The 9 states impacted so far are Missouri, Illinois, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Kentucky, Louisiana, Indiana, resulting in widespread damage. 5 states have declared a state of emergency (Oklahoma for fires). The latest report from Poplar Bluff, MO was 300-500 homes damaged or destroyed, and over 160 homes in Paragould Arkansas. Over 220 separate tornado warnings were issued. We are currently up to 183 miles of tornado damage track from this event.

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Detailed State-by-State Updates

• Missouri (MO) - declared a state of emergency:

• Tornadoes: An estimated 19 tornadoes have been reported, including one in the Saint Louis area. The tornado that hit Bakersfield MO is rated EF3+.

• Fatalities: At least 12 people have been killed, including two near Bakersfield in Ozark County and one in Butler County. (Source)

• Homes Damaged: 1,782 (368 destroyed, 356 major damage and 1,058 minor damage).

• City/County: Hartville, Poplar Bluff (likely an EF3 - with 300-500 homes damaged or destroyed - Butler County), Van Buren (Carter County), Villa Ridge (Franklin County - EF2), Union (likely an EF1) & Gray Summit (Franklin County), South Fork (Howell County), Arnold (Jefferson County - likely a EF2), Bakersfield (Ozark County), Eminence (Shannon County), Florissant (St. Louis County), Rolla (Phelps County) and Wayne County. 25 counties in Missouri were impacted by the storm. (Source)

• Arkansas (AR) - declared a state of emergency:

• Tornadoes: Multiple tornadoes reported, particularly affecting central regions including Cave City.

• Injuries: 3 confirmed fatalities. 32 people were reported injured in eight counties. (Source)

• Homes Damaged: 456 (156 destroyed, 93 major, 88 minor, 119 affected).

• Damage: Damage has been reported in 16 counties, including; Cave City (very top of the EF3 scale), Batesville (Independence County), Cherokee (Sharp County), Diaz (Jackson County - a high-end EF4), and Larkin. Over 160 homes were damaged in Paragould due to an EF-2 tornado. Based on preliminary assessments by FEMA, an estimated 249 households are in need of housing assistance.

• Mississippi (MS):

• Tornadoes: MEMA has confirmed 18 Tornadoes and 831 homes, 37 businesses, and 20 farms damaged. (source)

• Fatalities: At least 10 confirmed fatalities.

• Homes Damaged: 831 (131 destroyed, 166 major damage and 534 minor damage along with 37 businesses, and 20 farms)

• Damage: Calhoun (3 homes, 2 roads, 1 bridge), Carroll (4 homes, 1 business, 1 farm, 10 roads), Chickasaw, Covington (1 death), Forrest, George, Grenada (45 homes, 7 businesses, 1 road, 1 public building), Holmes, Humphreys (1 home, 2 farms), Issaquena, Itawamba (30 homes, 3 businesses, 3 public buildings), Jasper (17 homes, 1 business, 1 road), Jefferson Davis (82 homes, 4 farms, 2 deaths), Lee (4 homes, 2 roads), Leflore (314 homes, 6 businesses, 1 farm, 1 public building), Marion (45 homes, 5 businesses, 5 farms), Montgomery (8 homes, 5 businesses), Pike (23 homes), Prentiss (44 roads), Sharkey (2 homes, 1 farm), Smith (70 homes, 8 businesses), Sunflower (1 home, 1 business), Tishomingo (9 roads), Walthall (182 homes, 6 farms, 4 deaths) (Source)

• Illinois (IL):

• Tornadoes: Multiple tornadoes reported, particularly affecting central regions including Elgin, Springfield, Decatur, and Champaign.

• Homes Damaged: 50+

• Damage: Springfield (Sangamon County), Decatur (Macon County), Champaign (Champaign County). Several buildings damaged; specific numbers of homes affected are still being assessed. (Source)

• Indiana (IN):

• Tornadoes: Multiple tornadoes reported.

• Damage: Princeton (Gibson County). Several buildings damaged; specific numbers of homes affected are still being assessed. Gibson County has experienced significant storm damage. The Gibson County Emergency Management Agency will be seeking volunteer assistance for cleanup efforts. Residents and volunteers are encouraged to monitor the agency’s official communications for updates on how to assist. Initial assessments indicated up to 50% of homes in Selma were damaged, according to a press release from Delaware County EMA.

• Kentucky (KY):

• Tornadoes: Multiple tornadoes reported.

• Damage: Bowling Green (Warren County). Several buildings damaged; specific numbers of homes affected are still being assessed.

• Tennessee (TN):

• Tornadoes: Multiple tornadoes reported.

• Damage: Memphis (Shelby County), Nashville (Davidson County), Grenada County. Several buildings damaged; specific numbers of homes affected are still being assessed.

• Louisiana (LA):

• Tornadoes: Multiple tornadoes reported, with a high risk of significant, long-track tornadoes.

• Damage: Tangipahoa (Tangipahoa Parish) and in Kentwood, about 30 homes were damaged. Specific numbers of homes affected are still being assessed.

• Alabama (AL):

• Tornadoes: Multiple tornadoes reported, with a high risk of significant tornadoes, including long-track and violent ones.

• Fatalities: At least 2 confirmed fatalities.

• Damage: 52 of Alabama's 67 counties reported damage from the severe weather and tornadoes were reported in at least the following counties: Tuscaloosa: (Tuscaloosa County). Eutaw (Greene County), Kimberly (Jefferson County), Sipsey (Walker County). Gordo (Pickens County). Numerous buildings damaged; assessments are ongoing to determine the full extent.

This storm system’s vast size and intensity have led to significant impacts across multiple states. Emergency services are actively responding to affected areas, and damage assessments are ongoing.

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Assessments taking place - Check back for soon

Partner Orgs please use - RESPONSE NOTIFICATION

Samaritan's Purse is deployed to Poplar Bluff, MO for debris, cleanup, tree work, and roof tarping. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES are listed on website

Convoy of Hope trucks filled with relief supplies continue to leave Convoy of Hope’s World Distribution Center. Teams are in communication with partners across the Midwest and South to coordinate how we can best help their communities.

Mercy Chefs is deploying to Tylertown, MS, and surrounding counties to serve hot, chef-prepared meals to those without power and displaced by the storm.

Eight Days of Hope is deploying to and has VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES imultiple locations in MS.

Minuteman Disaster Response is deployed to Cave City AR.

JTC is deploying to Covington County, AL.

Grindstone Ministries has deployed to Mississippi.

Sirens Project - Tree Clean-Up in Dallas, GA

Rebuilding Hope - Tree Clean-Up in Dallas, GA

Active Churches

If your Church is Actively serving your community, please use our RESPONSE NOTIFICATION to share. This list will populate over the next couple of days as active churches are identified.

Church of the Highlands is assessing damage and performing debris management in AL

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IMPORTANT NOTE: Serve Source works because of the incredible relationships that have built over the years. Our focus is communication and resource development. We support Those who are Serving communities impacted by disaster. Use this RESPONSE NOTIFICATION to notify us of efforts if you are 1 of 2 types of leaders:

(1) Church in an Impacted area

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