Four die in intense US 'supercell storms' as theatre roof collapses and tornadoes rampage through southern states

1 April 2023, 07:24

The US has been battered by supercell storms
The US has been battered by supercell storms. Picture: Getty/Social media

By Will Taylor

One person has died and dozens are injured after a theatre’s roof collapsed in Illinois amid deadly tornadoes that are sweeping the US.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

About 260 people were in the Apollo Theater in Belvidere when the roof came down just before 8pm local time, and five of the 28 people taken to hospital are in a serious condition.

The theatre, about 70 miles north-west of Chicago, was hosting a heavy metal gig.

Two people were killed in Wynne, Arkansas. Wynne City councilmember Lisa Powell Carter said the town was without power and roads were full of debris.

"I'm in a panic trying to get home, but we can't get home. Wynne is so demolished... There's houses destroyed, trees down on streets,” she said.

Cars, roofs and trees were destroyed in the storm, with more than 20 people injured in the Arkansas capital of Little Rock. Officials had said a person died in North Little Rock but no further details were revealed.

A small shopping centre there was shredded.

Read more: State of emergency declared in Mississippi after tornado kills 26 people across southern US states

Little Rock was devastated by the storms
Little Rock was devastated by the storms. Picture: Getty

Five people are in a critical condition at a hospital in Little Rock.

"Praying for all those who were and remain in the path of this storm," said Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

Read more: Storms, tornadoes and floods batter California leaving five dead

"Arkansans must continue to stay weather aware as storms are continuing to move through."

She also warned the death toll could yet rise.

"We're hopeful that it doesn't, but I think given the nature and the volatility of the situation, we're preparing that it could," she said.

Deadly storms have ripped through the US
Deadly storms have ripped through the US. Picture: Getty

Tens of thousands of Americans across the South and Midwest US have been left without any power.

Arkansas and Missouri both declared states of emergency, with the National Guard deployed in the former.

Oklahoma saw grass fires as 60mph winds fuelled them. Evacuations in the state’s north east got under way.

In Chicago, planes were delayed by two hours after officials put a traffic management programme in place.

More than 40 tornadoes are thought to have hit the US over Friday night.

The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Centre forecast an unusually large outbreak of thunderstorms which could cause hail, wind gusts and strong tornadoes that could move for long distances. These are known as “intense supercell thunderstorms”.

Little Rock was pummelled by the storms
Little Rock was pummelled by the storms. Picture: Getty

It comes just a week after a tornado killed 26 people in Mississippi, which rampaged for more than an hour – much longer than many storms.

President Joe Biden had been visiting the devastation as this new storm struck.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Police personnel work at the site of an Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, India, Friday, June 13, 2025.

Air India rules out mechanical fault on doomed flight 171 amid investigation into pilots' 'medical records'

Aristocrat Constance Marten and her partner Mark Gordon have been found guilty at the Old Bailey of the manslaughter of their newborn baby.

Crocodile tears of a killer aristocrat: Moment Constance Marten is confronted over the death of newborn baby

A man accused of trying to spy for Russia has claimed he planned to “track and expose Russian agents” to assist Israel, a court has heard.

Father-of-four accused of plotting to spy for Russia claims he planned to ‘expose Russian agents'

Pc Ellie Cook fired her Taser at Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, after he and his brother, Muhammad Amaad, 26, allegedly attacked her and two Greater Manchester Police (GMP) colleagues.

‘Not an option’ to walk away from Manchester Airport suspect - police officer tells court

Police said road crime team officers initially tried to pull over the Peugeot, which was believed to be linked to drugs, on the M5.

Cocaine smuggler jailed after police find £1 million worth of drugs in car boot following 120mph chase

A sinkhole filled with water

Sinkhole opens in London borough leading to disruption from 'large amount of flooding'

Katie Wallis arrives at Cardiff Magistrates.

Former Conservative MP who harassed ex-wife handed community order

Irish Air Corps undated handout photo of Army Ranger Wing boarding the MV Matthew as part of Ireland's largest-ever drugs haul.

Irish gangsters' drugs empire laid bare after eight men jailed following Special Forces raid on 'narco-tanker'

Gregg Wallace smiling

Gregg Wallace breaks his silence saying he is "deeply sorry" for any distress caused

Four people have died following a plane crash at Southend Airport.

Plane crashed in 'fireball' at Southend Airport after dropping off patient for medical attention

Wells Town Hall and coroners court Wells Somerset England UK GB EU Europe

Former Met detective died in fire after locking himself in bedroom, inquest told

Mark Gordon and Constance Marten went on the run from police

Aristocrat Constance Marten and convicted rapist lover Mark Gordon guilty of killing their baby

A German backpacker was found alive in the remote outback after a car crash and head injury left her disoriented for 11 days.

Backpacker breaks silence after found alive following 12 days in Australian outback

Models of people on coins

Perceptions around banks have improved since launch of Consumer Duty, poll finds

Evan died while holidaying at the popular Ibiza Rocks Hotel.

'We are absolutely broken': Scottish holidaymaker, 26, falls to his death at Ibiza Rocks Hotel

Ela Haimi fighting back tears as she reflects on the prospect of never seeing the body of her husband almost two years after he was kidnapped and killed by Hamas during the October 7th attacks.

'Time is running out': Wife of man killed in October 7 attacks still waits for his body to return