Multistate Tornado Response Underway in Arkansas, Oklahoma & Missouri

May 31, 2024 | 10:32 a.m.

Over the Memorial Day weekend, a barrage of powerful storms wreaked havoc across the central and southern U.S., claiming the lives of over 20 individuals and leaving a swath of devastation and power outages in their wake. In response, Convoy of Hope swiftly mobilized, coordinating with partners in the affected regions to assess the most pressing needs.

Multiple tractor-trailer loads of essential supplies — including tarps, contractor bags, hygiene items, food, and water — have been dispatched to Sikeston, Charleston, and Dexter in Missouri, as well as Mountain View and Mountain Home in Arkansas, among other communities. To date, over 170,000 pounds of relief supplies have been distributed to more than 9,000 people grappling with the aftermath of the storms.

As recovery efforts continue, Convoy of Hope is maintaining close communication with partners throughout the impacted areas, and stands ready to deploy additional resources as needed to support the ongoing relief efforts.

May 30, 2024 | 10:18 a.m.

Convoy of Hope is responding to destruction across Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma in the wake of last weekend’s storms. Thousands of families’ lives were upended by storms over Memorial Day weekend that killed at least 23 people. Convoy teams have mobilized across the U.S. to get essential supplies and care to people affected.

Convoy teams have continued to serve Missouri and Arkansas. Numerous distributions have taken place after tornadoes drove through small communities. Teams delivered to partners in Sikeston, Missouri, and Yellville and Rogers, Arkansas. Alongside partners like Life.Church in Rogers, they unloaded and handed out supplies in mobile distributions. These essential items — like tarps, totes, hygiene items, cleanup supplies, and water — will be crucial as people and infrastructure recover from the storm.

This is one of 14 disasters Convoy has responded to since mid-April as storms ravage the United States. A total of 65 loads of supplies have been sent out to partners in that time to help with recovery.

May 28, 2024 | 2:35 p.m.

Convoy of Hope is responding to destruction across Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma in the wake of this weekend’s storms. Thousands of families’ lives were upended by storms over Memorial Day weekend that killed at least 23 people. Convoy teams have mobilized across the U.S. to get essential supplies and care to people affected.

This is one of 14 disasters Convoy has responded to since mid-April as storms ravage the United States. A total of 65 loads of supplies have been sent out to partners in that time to help with recovery.

A tornado tore through northern Arkansas on Sunday morning, killing eight people. More than 30,000 people are still without power in Benton County as of this afternoon. Essential supplies like food items, totes, tarps, and cleanup supplies went out from the World Distribution Center this morning and will arrive for distribution this afternoon in Bentonville, Rogers, and Mountain Home. Convoy’s team is staying in communication with partners on the ground to identify additional ways to serve.

Essential supplies are also en route to Sikeston and Mountain View, Missouri, where a tornado and severe winds damaged homes and businesses on Sunday. Multiple people were hospitalized and one person was killed. Convoy is working with state emergency responders to fulfill recovery needs throughout the county. Also in Claremore, Oklahoma — where a tornado downed power lines and left roads covered by felled trees — food, water, tarps, totes, and cleanup supplies will be delivered in a neighborhood distribution today. 

Continued responses

Convoy of Hope has also been working in Iowa this week, continuing a response to the powerful E-4 tornado that hit Greenfield last week, killing five people in its path. Another load will be going out tomorrow to those affected.

The disaster response team demobilized Saturday out of Houston, Texas, staying and serving on the ground until power was fully restored. Convoy will continue sending essential recovery supplies, food, and water as locals continue to recover and rebuild.

Convoy of Hope is thankful for supporters as the team criss-crosses the country responding to these needs — your support is crucial to these recovery efforts. To ensure you and your family are prepared for future disasters, download Convoy’s free Family Preparedness Guide.