TYLERTOWN, Miss. (AP) — Unusually vicious and damaging weather across multiple U.S. states spawned violent tornadoes, blinding dust storms and fast-moving wildfires this weekend, leaving at least 37 people dead.
Hailey Hart and her fiancé Steve Romero hunkered down with their three huskies inside their 1994 Toyota Celica as a tornado ripped apart their home Saturday in Tylertown, Mississippi.
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Hailey Hart, 21, right, hugs a friend, Sage Falgoust, 16, after recalling how she, her fiancee and their dogs rode out Saturday's tornado in their 1994 Toyota automobile, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Tylertown, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Tasha May, right, and her husband Tommy May, recover clothing from a cabinet in the tornado destroyed home of her grandparents, Sunday, March 16, 2025, Tylertown, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Tommy May, tosses paneling from a tornado destroyed home of relatives, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Tylertown, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Patricia Blansett inspects a family portrait print, one of the few items that family and friends recovered intact, Sunday, March 16, 2025 from her relative's mobile home that was destroyed when a series of storms passed Tylertown, Miss., on Saturday. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Hailey Hart, 21, right, hugs a friend, Sage Falgoust, 16, after recalling how she, her fiancee and their dogs rode out Saturday's tornado in their 1994 Toyota automobile, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Tylertown, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Michelle Moore is tended to by a police officer after she was rescued by her son who pulled her out of her trailer that was destroyed by a tornado that passed through, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Plantersville, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Michelle Moore rests on the bumper of a police car after she was rescued by her son who pulled her out of her trailer that was destroyed by a tornado that passed through, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Plantersville, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Locals help clear the roads from debris after a tornado passed through leaving a path of destruction, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Plantersville, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Locals help clear the roads from debris after a tornado passed through leaving a path of destruction, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Plantersville, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Downed trees and power lines block a road along Highway 82 after a tornado passed through, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Maplesville, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Furniture and kitchen appliances are exposed in the remnants of a recreational vehicle damaged by a series of storms that passed the region at Paradise Ranch RV Resort in Tylertown, Miss., Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Emily and Tony Robertson look for personal belongings in the damage after a tornado passed through, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Plantersville, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Residents look for personal belongings in the damage after a tornado passed through where two people lost their lives, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Plantersville, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Residents look for personal belongings in the damage after a tornado passed through where two people lost their lives, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Plantersville, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Residents look for personal belongings in the damage after a tornado passed through, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Plantersville, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Emily Robertson reunites with one of her cats as she looks for personal belongings in the damage after a tornado passed through where two people lost their lives, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Plantersville, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Downed trees and power lines block a road along Highway 82 after a tornado passed through, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Maplesville, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Residents look for personal belongings in the damage after a tornado passed through where two people lost their lives, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Plantersville, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
A cat cries out while sitting in front of a destroyed cabin at Paradise Ranch RV Resort after a series of storms passed the area in Tylertown, Miss., Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
A home is destroyed after a severe storm, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Wayne County, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Matt Wolff, left, works underneath his carport with the help of his father-in-law Dempsey Watson and friend Tyler Umbright, right, as they work to stabilize after a severe storm in Bridgeton, Mo., Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Robert Cohen/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
In this photo provided by Missouri State Highway Patrol, a home is damaged after a severe storm passed the area near Ozark County, Mo., early Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Missouri State Highway Patrol via AP)
This image provided by shows aerials over the damage caused by the wildfires in Logan County, Okla. (KOCO via AP)
Missy, who declined to give her last name, searches for photographs in a debris field behind a relative's home after a severe storm in Bridgeton, Mo., Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Robert Cohen/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
Marcus Cole embraces his daughters while standing in front of his destroyed home after a severe storm in Bridgeton, Mo., Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Robert Cohen/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
Debris covers the road during a severe storm passed the area north of Seymour, Mo., in Webster County late Friday, March 14, 2025. (Trooper Austin James/Missouri State Highway Patrol via AP)
A wildfire spreads through trees Friday, March 14, 2025, south of Langston, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
A wildfire burns a home down on Friday, March 14, 2025, south of Langston, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Mark Nelson, of Wis., waits with his tractor-trailer after it overturned during high winds and a possible tornado on Interstate 44 westbound at Villa Ridge, Mo., Friday, March 14, 2025. (Robert Cohen/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
A vehicle sits in front of a damaged home and debris from a severe storm Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Wayne County, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Debris from a severe storm is scattered outside a damaged home Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Wayne County, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
This image provided by shows aerials over the damage caused by the wildfires in Logan County, Okla. (KOCO via AP)
This image provided by shows aerials over the damage caused by the wildfires in Logan County, Okla. (KOCO via AP)
People work through the debris of the Cave City Auto Parts store on Saturday, March 15, 2025 after a severe weather storm Friday night in Cave City, Ark. (Staci Vandagriff/Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP)
Destruction from a severe storm is seen Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Wayne County, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Destruction from a severe storm is seen Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Wayne County, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Tim Scott, right, gets a hug from friend Jorden Harris outside Scott's home he was inside when it was destroyed during a severe storm the evening before Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Wayne County, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Destruction from a severe storm is seen Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Wayne County, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Romero said he prayed out loud and hugged Hart as the car rolled onto its side, windows shattering, before it landed on its wheels again. After the twister passed, they could hear people nearby screaming for help.
“It was a bad dream come true,” Romero said.
Next door, Hart’s grandparents crawled out from the rubble of their destroyed house after they sought shelter in a bathroom as falling trees collapsed the roof.
“Everything was coming down on us,” said Donna Blansett, Hart’s grandmother. “All I could do was pray to God to save us.”
They escaped with just a few scratches and aches. Family members, friends and volunteers spent Sunday removing debris and salvaging anything they could find — some damp clothes, a photo album and a few toiletries.
“I’m so happy you’re alive,” Hart said through tears, as she embraced her grandmother on Sunday.
The National Weather Service said tornado watches had mostly expired, but dangerous winds were still possible in the Carolinas, east Georgia and northern Florida through Sunday evening.
The dynamic storm that began Friday earned an unusual “high risk” designation from weather forecasters. Still, experts said it’s not unusual to see such weather extremes in March.
President Donald Trump said in a post on his social media network that his administration is ready to assist affected communities.
“Please join Melania and me in praying for everyone impacted by these terrible storms!” he posted Sunday.
At least three people, including an 82-year-old woman, were killed in central Alabama when multiple tornados swept across the state.
In Troy, Alabama, parks officials said the recreation center where many residents had taken refuge had to be closed due to damage from overnight storms. No one was injured.
“We are thankful the Lord provided protection over our community, and over 200 guests at the Recreation Center storm shelter on Saturday night," the parks department said in a statement.
Missouri resident Dakota Henderson said he and others rescuing trapped neighbors found five bodies scattered in rubble Friday night outside what remained of his aunt’s house in hard-hit Wayne County. Scattered twisters killed at least a dozen people in the state, authorities said.
“It’s really disturbing for what happened to the people, the casualties last night," Henderson said Saturday, not far from the splintered home he said they rescued his aunt through a window of the only room left standing.
Coroner Jim Akers of Butler County, Missouri, described the home where one man was killed as “just a debris field.”
“The floor was upside down,” he said. “We were walking on walls.”
In Mississippi, Gov. Tate Reeves announced that six people died and more than 200 were displaced after tornadoes sowed devastation across three counties. And in the northern part of the state, roads were inundated and some people were stranded by flood waters.
One of the deaths occurred in Covington County, where Seminary resident Traci Ladner said she watched a tornado knock down trees and power lines and destroy a house Saturday as she drove home from Ward’s Restaurant.
The twister touched down briefly, traveled over Highway 49 and then went back up before making another quick descent, she said.
“I was crying. My legs were shaking. It was pretty scary,” she said.
In Arkansas, officials confirmed three deaths.
Wind-driven wildfires caused extensive damage in Texas and Oklahoma and officials warned Sunday that parts of both states would again face an increased risk of fire danger in the coming week.
More than 130 fires were reported across Oklahoma and nearly 300 homes were damaged or destroyed, Gov. Kevin Stitt said.
“Nobody has enough resources to fight fires when the wind is blowing 70 mph,” said Terry Essary, the fire chief of Stillwater, Oklahoma. “It’s an insurmountable task.”
Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management spokesperson Keli Cain said Sunday that two people were killed as a result of the wildfires and weather.
Meanwhile, dust storms spurred by high winds claimed almost a dozen lives 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.
Reynolds reported from Louisville, Kentucky. Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City, Utah; Bruce Shipkowski in Toms River, New Jersey; Jeff Roberson in Wayne County, Missouri; Gene Johnson in Seattle; Janie Har in San Francisco and Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed.
Tasha May, right, and her husband Tommy May, recover clothing from a cabinet in the tornado destroyed home of her grandparents, Sunday, March 16, 2025, Tylertown, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Tommy May, tosses paneling from a tornado destroyed home of relatives, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Tylertown, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Patricia Blansett inspects a family portrait print, one of the few items that family and friends recovered intact, Sunday, March 16, 2025 from her relative's mobile home that was destroyed when a series of storms passed Tylertown, Miss., on Saturday. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Hailey Hart, 21, right, hugs a friend, Sage Falgoust, 16, after recalling how she, her fiancee and their dogs rode out Saturday's tornado in their 1994 Toyota automobile, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Tylertown, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Michelle Moore is tended to by a police officer after she was rescued by her son who pulled her out of her trailer that was destroyed by a tornado that passed through, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Plantersville, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Michelle Moore rests on the bumper of a police car after she was rescued by her son who pulled her out of her trailer that was destroyed by a tornado that passed through, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Plantersville, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Locals help clear the roads from debris after a tornado passed through leaving a path of destruction, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Plantersville, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Locals help clear the roads from debris after a tornado passed through leaving a path of destruction, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Plantersville, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Downed trees and power lines block a road along Highway 82 after a tornado passed through, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Maplesville, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Furniture and kitchen appliances are exposed in the remnants of a recreational vehicle damaged by a series of storms that passed the region at Paradise Ranch RV Resort in Tylertown, Miss., Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Emily and Tony Robertson look for personal belongings in the damage after a tornado passed through, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Plantersville, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Residents look for personal belongings in the damage after a tornado passed through where two people lost their lives, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Plantersville, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Residents look for personal belongings in the damage after a tornado passed through where two people lost their lives, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Plantersville, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Residents look for personal belongings in the damage after a tornado passed through, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Plantersville, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Emily Robertson reunites with one of her cats as she looks for personal belongings in the damage after a tornado passed through where two people lost their lives, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Plantersville, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Downed trees and power lines block a road along Highway 82 after a tornado passed through, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Maplesville, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Residents look for personal belongings in the damage after a tornado passed through where two people lost their lives, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Plantersville, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
A cat cries out while sitting in front of a destroyed cabin at Paradise Ranch RV Resort after a series of storms passed the area in Tylertown, Miss., Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
A home is destroyed after a severe storm, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Wayne County, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Matt Wolff, left, works underneath his carport with the help of his father-in-law Dempsey Watson and friend Tyler Umbright, right, as they work to stabilize after a severe storm in Bridgeton, Mo., Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Robert Cohen/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
In this photo provided by Missouri State Highway Patrol, a home is damaged after a severe storm passed the area near Ozark County, Mo., early Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Missouri State Highway Patrol via AP)
This image provided by shows aerials over the damage caused by the wildfires in Logan County, Okla. (KOCO via AP)
Missy, who declined to give her last name, searches for photographs in a debris field behind a relative's home after a severe storm in Bridgeton, Mo., Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Robert Cohen/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
Marcus Cole embraces his daughters while standing in front of his destroyed home after a severe storm in Bridgeton, Mo., Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Robert Cohen/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
Debris covers the road during a severe storm passed the area north of Seymour, Mo., in Webster County late Friday, March 14, 2025. (Trooper Austin James/Missouri State Highway Patrol via AP)
A wildfire spreads through trees Friday, March 14, 2025, south of Langston, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
A wildfire burns a home down on Friday, March 14, 2025, south of Langston, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Mark Nelson, of Wis., waits with his tractor-trailer after it overturned during high winds and a possible tornado on Interstate 44 westbound at Villa Ridge, Mo., Friday, March 14, 2025. (Robert Cohen/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
A vehicle sits in front of a damaged home and debris from a severe storm Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Wayne County, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Debris from a severe storm is scattered outside a damaged home Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Wayne County, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
This image provided by shows aerials over the damage caused by the wildfires in Logan County, Okla. (KOCO via AP)
This image provided by shows aerials over the damage caused by the wildfires in Logan County, Okla. (KOCO via AP)
People work through the debris of the Cave City Auto Parts store on Saturday, March 15, 2025 after a severe weather storm Friday night in Cave City, Ark. (Staci Vandagriff/Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP)
Destruction from a severe storm is seen Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Wayne County, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Destruction from a severe storm is seen Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Wayne County, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Tim Scott, right, gets a hug from friend Jorden Harris outside Scott's home he was inside when it was destroyed during a severe storm the evening before Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Wayne County, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Destruction from a severe storm is seen Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Wayne County, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
DENVER (AP) — Cale Makar scored 34 seconds into overtime and Colorado recovered after squandering a late two-goal lead to win 4-3 over the Dallas Stars on Sunday in the return of former Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen.
Leading 3-1 in the third, the Avalanche saw the Stars rally to tie the game on goals from Mavrik Bourque and Matt Duchene in a 20-second span.
In overtime, Makar weaved through the Dallas defense and beat Jake Oettinger with a wrist shot. It was a three-point performance for Makar as the Avalanche won their ninth straight home game.
Valeri Nichushkin, Jonathan Drouin and Martin Necas also scored for the Avalanche. Scott Wedgewood made 19 saves.
A fan favorite, Rantanen spent nearly a decade with Colorado. He was trade by the Avalanche as part of a three-team deal on Jan. 24 that landed him in Carolina — and brought Necas to Colorado — and then dealt to Dallas on March 7.
Jason Robertson scored the game-opening goal on an assist from Rantanen. Oettinger stopped 32 shots.
Colorado took two of three in the season series with the home team winning every game. The next time the two Central Division foes square off could be in the first round of the playoffs. The teams met last season in a second-round series that Dallas captured in six games.
Stars: Center Roope Hintz was back in the lineup after missing the past two games with an upper-body injury. He had an assist.
Avalanche: Colorado went 1 for 5 on the power play.
Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon extended his home-point streak to 21 games with an assist on Makar's OT goal.
Rantanen's assist was No. 400 in his career.
The Stars start a four-game homestand against Anaheim on Tuesday, while the Avalanche begin a three-game trip Wednesday at Toronto.
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Dallas Stars left wing Mason Marchment, front, looks to pass the puck to center Matt Duchene, back left, as Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard covers in the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dallas Stars center Sam Steel, right, looks to put a shot on Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood, right, as defenseman Samuel Girard covers in the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
From left, Colorado Avalanche center Charlie Coyle struggles to collect the puck as Dallas Stars center Sam Steel, Colorado defenseman Ryan Lindgren, Dallas center Mavrik Bourque and Colorado goaltender Scott Wedgewood look on in the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar reacts after getting hit in the head while jostling with Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson in the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
From left, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson, center Brock Nelson and defenseman Samuel Girard confer before a face off against the Dallas Stars in the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin reacts after scoring a goal in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood, front, stops a shot off the stick of Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz in the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dallas Stars defenseman Esa Lindell, back, shoots the puck past Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon in the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen warms up before an NHL hockey game against his former team, the Colorado Avalanche, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen steps on the ice to warm up before an NHL hockey game against his former team, the Colorado Avalanche, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dallas Stars defenseman Lian Bichsel, left, checks Colorado Avalanche center Ross Colton in the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson, right, is congratulated after scoring a goal by center Roope Hintz and defenseman Thomas Harley, left, in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson, right, scores a goal over the shoulder of Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood, center as defenseman Ryan Lindgren covers in the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche injured captain Gabriel Landeskog, back, presents a golden stick to center Nathan MacKinnon, front left, for his 1,000 career point in an Avalanche sweater as MacKinnon's fiance, Charlotte Walker, looks on during a ceremony before an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin, center, puts a shot on Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger, left, after driving past defenseman Esa Lindell in the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin, front, is congratulated as he passes the team box after scoring a goal in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar reacts after scoring the winning goal in overtime of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)