Friday's Severe Storms Turn Deadly

news image
Special Stories
21 Jun 2019 9:29 PM
  Severe storms barreled across the central and eastern U.S. Friday, producing widespread wind damage. There have been at least two fatalities and three injuries, all believed to be weather-related. The first report came in around 4 p.m. local time Friday from Carter County in Missouri. According to Carter County Emergency Management officials, in conjunction with the National Weather Service in Paducah, a tree fell on a boat that was near a river access point. The driver of the boat was killed and two additional people were seriously injured near the Waymeyer Shute National Park Service River Access.   WeatherNation spoke with the National Weather Service to confirm whether or not this event could be considered a derecho. At this time, the NWS tells WeatherNation that further research into the event will need to be done before they can confirm whether or not it was a derecho.   It wasn't just Friday's severe wind threat either. Looking back at Thursday and Wednesday there were hundreds more severe wind reports. Between Wednesday and Friday there were nearly 1,000 reports of high winds across the central and eastern United States, according to the Storm Prediction Center. Back to Friday, the latter weather-related injury/fatality occurred around 5 p.m. local time in Pulaski County, Illinois.  These were believed to be separate accounts. In one instance, a person was killed when a tree fell onto the car on Old Highway 51. In addition in Mounds, IL one person was seriously injured when a tree fell on them in a park. That report was relayed by local emergency managers. More severe thunderstorms are likely this weekend. Again, the largest threat from thunderstorms will be damaging winds in thunderstorms, though some storms could produce tornadoes. Large hail can also be expected in the central U.S. where the Storm Prediction Center has highlighted an 'enhance risk', or the 3rd highest level of severity on a 5 step scale of severe threat.     Please stay weather aware and weather ready when storms are near your area! For WeatherNation, Meteorologist Steve Glazier
All Weather News
More
Flash Flooding Targets the Northeast, Severe Storms Possible

Flash Flooding Targets the Northeast, Severe Storms Possible

Stormy conditions in the Northeast will persi

13 Sep 2026 1:00 PM
Active Pattern Takes Shape Across the Plains

Active Pattern Takes Shape Across the Plains

An active weather pattern will bring several

13 Sep 2026 2:00 AM
Tropics: Power Restoration Progresses in Kauai, Norbert Tracks West

Tropics: Power Restoration Progresses in Kauai, Norbert Tracks West

The Pacific Ocean has been incredibly active

13 Sep 2026 1:30 AM
NEW: 2026 Hottest U.S. Summer On Record

NEW: 2026 Hottest U.S. Summer On Record

If it felt like this summer was relentless an

13 Sep 2026 1:00 AM
No Hurricanes Yet in the Atlantic, A New Record

No Hurricanes Yet in the Atlantic, A New Record

For the first time in the satellite era (sinc

12 Sep 2026 11:15 PM
High Heat & Humidity Across the Southwest

High Heat & Humidity Across the Southwest

Temperatures not only broke records on Wednes

10 Sep 2026 11:10 AM
Rounds of Severe Storms Target the Plains

Rounds of Severe Storms Target the Plains

The plains have had an active summer. Severe

10 Sep 2026 10:15 AM