Deaths and injuries after severe storms hit southern US states

Severe storms have caused extensive damage and killed many people in the southern United States. Severe weather moved into the states of Texas and Oklahoma on Sunday night (local time) and, as the US media continues to report, may even form a tornado.

In Cook County, near Dallas, in north Texas, at least five people died and dozens were injured, CNN, NBC News and ABC News reported, citing the sheriff in charge.

Accordingly, a storm first destroyed a highway rest stop and then raged in a trailer park, where the search for the missing is still underway. Among the dead were children. According to the sheriff's office, the number of victims could continue to rise.

Large houses and trucks were simply overturned, power lines were uprooted and buildings were flattened, reports said. Rescue workers and police are working at many places.

Deaths and damage also occurred in Texas' neighboring state of Oklahoma. Local station 2News Oklahoma reported two deaths in Greene County in the state's northeast, citing officials involved. According to CNN, the city of Claremore will be without power “for a long time.”

The full extent was still unclear as of Sunday morning (local time). As the day progresses, storms will move into the Midwest and then up the U.S. East Coast, according to the National Weather Service. Severe weather warnings have been issued for many areas. Heat warnings also apply in the south.

Monday is a public holiday in the US – Memorial Day unofficially marks the start of summer with the start of swimming season. Many Americans meet to swim and barbecue. However, the celebrations are likely to be canceled due to weather in some places.

Experts attribute the increase in natural disasters — storms, floods and wildfires — to the effects of climate change in the United States.