At least 42 deaths linked to severe US storms

(AP) - A series of storms in the United States that sparked tornadoes, wildfires, high winds, and dust storms while barreling across eight states over the weekend have left at least 42 people dead and dozens injured.

Scattered tornadoes in Missouri killed over a dozen people, and a string of twisters in Mississippi — including two that hit near the same town within about an hour — left six people dead. Hundreds of homes and businesses were destroyed throughout the South and the Midwest.

The violent weather began Friday and earned an unusual “high risk” designation from meteorologists.

There were 46 tornadoes on Friday and 41 on Saturday, according to a preliminary count. The storm also spurred more than 130 wind-driven wildfires that damaged more than 400 homes in Oklahoma. Dozens of fires were still burning across the state on Monday, said Keith Merckx at Oklahoma Forestry Services.

High winds spurred several dust storms that led to almost a dozen deaths in car crashes on Friday.

Eight people died in a Kansas highway pileup involving at least 50 vehicles, according to the state highway patrol. Authorities said three people also were killed in car crashes during a dust storm in Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle.

President Donald Trump said the White House was monitoring the storms and would assist state and local officials to help in the recovery. He said National Guard troops were deployed to Arkansas.

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