Tornado Devastation Followed by Earthquake in the South
After a deadly tornado outbreak swept through parts of the South and Midwest, an earthquake has now struck a southern state, adding to the chaos.
The tornado outbreak, which began Friday evening, left at least 18 people dead as it ravaged parts of the South and Midwest. The storms intensified on Saturday, causing widespread destruction in Mississippi and Louisiana and prompting a rare Tornado Emergency declaration in Taylorsville, Mississippi.
Days before the event, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) had issued its highest threat level, warning of potential EF4 or stronger tornadoes. The first twisters touched down in Arkansas and Missouri before the severe weather system moved southward.
On Saturday alone, the SPC recorded more than a dozen tornado reports, with Mississippi and Alabama suffering the worst damage. Mississippi’s Walthall County was hit by two powerful tornadoes within just 45 minutes.
In Tylertown, three fatalities have been confirmed, though officials warn that the death toll may rise as rescue teams continue searching through the wreckage. Initial surveys by the National Weather Service (NWS) suggest some of the most powerful tornadoes reached EF3 strength, with winds up to 165 mph.
Ongoing damage assessments may reveal even stronger tornadoes. By Saturday afternoon, more than 50,000 customers in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama were without power. The severe weather threat is expected to continue into Sunday, affecting nearly 70 million people from the Northeast to Florida.
Earthquake Strikes Mississippi Amid Tornado Disaster
As Mississippi struggled with the aftermath of the tornadoes, an earthquake struck the state, further complicating rescue and recovery efforts. Authorities are now working to assess the full extent of the damage caused by both disasters.
However, the level of destruction depends on multiple factors beyond the earthquake’s magnitude, such as proximity to the epicenter, soil composition, and the structural integrity of buildings.
Typically, significant damage is not expected unless an earthquake registers above a magnitude of 4 or 5, but local conditions can amplify its impact. Authorities continue their assessments to determine the full extent of the situation.
This earthquake comes amid a series of severe weather events across the country. Just days earlier, four earthquakes struck near Hayward, California, on Thursday, February 13, 2025, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The quakes, ranging from magnitude 2.7 to 3.6, occurred in a small area 2 kilometers east of Hayward, at depths between 3.3 and 3.9 miles. The strongest earthquake, a magnitude 3.6, was recorded at 21:59 UTC (1:59 p.m. PST). While relatively minor, these quakes served as a stark reminder of the region’s seismic vulnerability.
According to the USGS, Hayward sits on the Hayward Fault, a strike-slip fault that extends from San Pablo Bay to Fremont, passing through Berkeley and Oakland. The fault moves gradually at about 5 millimeters (1/5 inch) per year, but some sections get stuck, accumulating stress that is eventually released through earthquakes.
Experts at the University of California, Berkeley Seismology Lab report that the last major earthquake along this fault occurred on October 21, 1868, with an estimated magnitude of 7.0. Known as the 1868 San Francisco earthquake, it ruptured the southern segment of the Hayward Fault, shifting the ground 1.9 meters (6.2 feet) sideways.
Scientists have long studied the recurring pattern of earthquakes along this fault. The 2003 Working Group for California Earthquake Probability estimated a 27% probability of a magnitude 6.7 or larger earthquake striking the Hayward-Rodgers Creek Fault system within 30 years. Given this risk, the USGS and other geological agencies continue to monitor seismic activity in the region.
Wildfires Ravage Oklahoma, Emergency Evacuations Ordered
Meanwhile, wildfires tore through Oklahoma on Friday, March 14, fueled by intense winds. In Logan County, several structures were engulfed in flames as firefighters struggled to contain the rapidly spreading blazes.
KOCO 5 Field Meteorologist Michael Armstrong witnessed the devastation firsthand. Reporting from Highway 105 between Henney and Choctaw roads, he described the harrowing scene:
“It’s burning to the ground right in front of my eyes,” Armstrong said. “There are several vehicles here on fire. Extremely intense wind gusts just blowing Storm Command right now.”
He called the situation “apocalyptic,” as flames consumed everything in their path. “Everything is just incinerated right now around me,” he added.
The strong winds made firefighting efforts nearly impossible. Videos from the scene showed homes and cars being consumed by flames, with thick smoke filling the air. Emergency crews worked tirelessly, but the conditions remained relentless.
Authorities urged residents to evacuate as the fires spread quickly across dry terrain. The full extent of the damage remains unknown, but officials warned that the threat was far from over.
In Okmulgee County, the Baldhill wildfire was fully contained, while the Gun Club wildfire reached 90% containment. The Stripes wildfire remained at 50%, and the Bever wildfire had an unknown containment status.
Osage County faced multiple wildfires with varying levels of control. The Acorn wildfire was 75% contained, the Maker wildfire reached 70%, and the Nadel wildfire was at 60% containment. However, containment levels for the Pulare, Tangon, and Bear wildfires remained unknown.
Other counties, including Oklahoma, Garvin, Seminole, Payne, Creek, Murray, and Pontotoc, reported active fires with no official containment percentages. Authorities urged residents to stay prepared for potential evacuations as conditions continued to evolve.
Emergency Evacuations in Stillwater
Emergency officials ordered evacuations in parts of Stillwater on Friday night as a fast-moving wildfire spread into neighborhoods.
Rob Hill, director of emergency management, urged residents in the area of Highway 51 and Range Road to evacuate immediately.
“We’re asking people to evacuate; the fire has crossed the road into the neighborhoods. We have several structures on fire,” Hill said.
Hotels and businesses were also impacted. Authorities evacuated Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, and La Quinta, while a Walmart was cleared as a precaution.
Meanwhile, strong winds worsened conditions across the region. In a post on X, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Norman reported a massive dust storm sweeping through Oklahoma. The agency warned that visibility was extremely low in northwest Oklahoma, where dust was being pulled into the storm from the north.
Late Friday night, the NWS issued a fire warning for northeastern Roger Mills County, western Dewey County, and northwestern Custer County at the request of Oklahoma Forestry Services.
Officials reported that at 9:13 p.m. CDT, a dangerous wildfire was located four miles northeast of Leedey, moving east at 1 to 3 mph. The fire threatened Camargo, Leedey, Angora, and surrounding areas.
Authorities urged residents to prepare for possible evacuations and to follow all safety instructions. They warned against driving into smoke and emphasized the potential for extreme fire behavior, including wind-driven flames and torching trees.
Firefighters remained on high alert as shifting winds and dry conditions continued to fuel the blazes. Emergency crews monitored the situation closely, ready to respond as the fire advanced.