India, April 3 -- Parts of the Midwest and South were hit by tornadoes and severe storms on Wednesday, which downed trees and power lines, tore off roofs, and flung debris hundreds of feet into the air.

"This is a life-threatening situation," the National Weather Service warned locals on the social media site X after briefly declaring a tornado emergency in northeast Arkansas. They urged people to seek shelter immediately.

As storms swept through Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri, and Mississippi in the evening, dozens of tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings were issued in those and other states. Forecasters attributed the severe weather to strong wind shear, an unstable atmosphere, daytime temperatures, and an influx of moisture from th...