President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to Arkansas on Sunday in response to devastating tornadoes and severe storms that swept through multiple states over the weekend, leaving at least 37 people dead. The powerful storms wreaked havoc across the Heartland, tearing through Missouri, Mississippi, Kansas, Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma, while blizzard conditions battered parts of South Dakota and Minnesota.
“We are actively monitoring the severe tornadoes and storms that have impacted many states across the South and Midwest—36 innocent lives have been lost, and many more devastated,” Trump posted on X. “The National Guard have been deployed to Arkansas, and my Administration is ready to assist State and Local Officials, as they help their communities to try and recover from the damage. Please join Melania and me in praying for everyone impacted by these terrible storms!”
The Arkansas National Guard confirmed that its troops were on the ground, working alongside civilian authorities to provide security and humanitarian assistance in central and eastern Arkansas.
As of Sunday, the reported deaths by state were as follows:
- Alabama: 3
- Arkansas: 3
- Mississippi: 6
- Missouri: 12
- Oklahoma: 1
- Texas: 4
- Kansas: 8
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders reported that approximately 50 National Guardsmen and 40 state police officers were actively responding to the devastation. In a video posted on X, she highlighted the resilience of affected communities, emphasizing the generosity and determination of neighbors helping one another in the aftermath of the storm.
“One of the things that will make you so proud as a governor is to see neighbors helping neighbors, and never is that more true than right here in this community today,” Sanders said.
Sanders also confirmed that she spoke with Trump, who assured her that his administration would provide full federal support. “He said to tell the people of Arkansas he loves them and he and his administration are here to help with whatever we need following last night’s tornadoes,” she shared in a post.
In Missouri, Dakota Henderson recounted the harrowing experience of searching for survivors amid the wreckage. Speaking to The Associated Press, Henderson described how he and others helped pull neighbors from beneath collapsed homes and debris. Tragically, in the process, they discovered five bodies.
“It’s really disturbing for what happened to the people, the casualties last night,” he said.
Meanwhile, evacuation orders were issued Friday across parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and New Mexico as officials braced for additional severe weather threats. Strong winds fueled wildfires in the Southern Plains, compounding the region’s crisis, while storm systems continued to pose threats across eastern Louisiana, western Georgia, central Tennessee, western North Carolina and South Carolina, and the Florida Panhandle.
On the ground in Cave City this afternoon and thankful to see so many people taking care of one another. If you need assistance or want to help - Check out https://t.co/NoPJfjNUzG pic.twitter.com/FLDgwN5NOV
— Sarah Huckabee Sanders (@SarahHuckabee) March 15, 2025