After a deadly tornado outbreak tore through parts of the South and Midwest, an earthquake has now struck a southern state, adding to the chaos.
Days before the event, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) had issued its highest threat level, warning of possible EF4 or stronger tornadoes. The first twisters touched down in Arkansas and Missouri before the severe weather moved southward.
On Saturday alone, the SPC recorded over a dozen tornado reports, with Mississippi and Alabama bearing the brunt. Mississippi’s Walthall County saw at least two powerful tornadoes within a 45-minute span.
In Tylertown, three deaths have been confirmed, though officials caution that the toll may rise as rescue teams continue searching through the debris. Initial surveys by the National Weather Service indicate some of the strongest tornadoes reached EF3 strength, with winds up to 165 mph.
Ongoing damage assessments could reveal even stronger tornadoes. As of Saturday afternoon, more than 50,000 customers across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama were without power. The severe weather threat is expected to continue into Sunday, affecting nearly 70 million people from the Northeast to Florida.
Adding to the devastation, an earthquake struck Mississippi as the state was still reeling from the powerful tornado outbreak. The seismic event further complicated rescue and recovery efforts, with officials working to assess the full extent of the damage caused by both natural disasters.
However, the severity of destruction depends on multiple factors beyond just the earthquake’s magnitude. Variables such as proximity to the epicenter, soil composition, and structural integrity of buildings all play crucial roles.
Generally, significant damage is not expected unless an earthquake registers above a magnitude of 4 or 5, but local conditions can amplify its impact. Authorities are continuing assessments to determine the full extent of the situation.
This earthquake comes amid a string of severe weather events across the country. Four earthquakes struck near Hayward, California, on Thursday, February 13, 2025, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The quakes, ranging from magnitude 2.7 to 3.6, occurred within a small area 2 kilometers east of Hayward at depths between 3.3 and 3.9 miles. The first earthquake of the day, a magnitude 2.7, occurred at 13:03 UTC (5:03 a.m. PST).
Two more quakes, a 3.3 magnitude at 19:52 UTC (11:52 a.m. PST) and a 3.2 magnitude at 19:54 UTC (11:54 a.m. PST), struck just two minutes apart. Meanwhile, the USGS reported that the strongest quake, a magnitude 3.6, was recorded at 21:59 UTC (1:59 p.m. PST) at a depth of 3.6 miles.
All four quakes were centered close to each other, with coordinates ranging from 37.645°N to 37.648°N latitude and 122.052°W to 122.059°W longitude. While the earthquakes appeared minor, their location was a stark reminder of the region’s seismic vulnerability.
According to the USGS, Hayward sits on the Hayward Fault, a right-lateral, strike-slip fault that runs from San Pablo Bay to Fremont, passing through Berkeley and Oakland.
It moves gradually, creeping at about 5 millimeters (1/5 inch) per year, but some of this movement is uneven. Roughly 4 millimeters (1/6 inch) per year gets stuck, building up stress that eventually releases in earthquakes.
Studies estimate the fault’s total movement at 9 millimeters (1/3 inch) per year, combining steady creep with sudden shifts. South of Fremont, it branches into a network of surface faults that connects to the Calaveras Fault. At depths greater than 5 kilometers (3 miles), scientists believe the two faults may merge, potentially influencing seismic activity.
Experts at the University of California, Berkeley Seismology Lab report that the last major earthquake on this fault occurred on October 21, 1868, at 15:53 UTC (7:53 a.m. local time). Known as the 1868 San Francisco earthquake, it struck the Bay Area with an estimated magnitude of 7.0.
The earthquake reportedly caused significant damage. At least five people were killed, and 30 others were injured. Property losses exceeded $300,000, which was a massive sum at the time.
Seismologists have long studied the recurring pattern of earthquakes along the Hayward Fault. USGS stated major quakes on this fault tend to occur every 140 to 170 years. With more than 150 years having passed since the last major rupture, experts warn that the fault is overdue for another powerful earthquake.
The 2003 Working Group for California Earthquake Probability reportedly estimated a 27% probability of a magnitude 6.7 or larger earthquake striking the Hayward-Rodgers Creek Fault system within 30 years. Given this risk, the USGS and other geological agencies continue to monitor seismic activity in the region.
Furthermore, wildfires tore through Oklahoma on Friday, March 14, fueled by intense winds. Logan County saw several structures engulfed in flames as firefighters struggled to contain the rapidly spreading blazes.
A thick cloud of smoke as a result of the Oklahoma wildfires posted on March 15, 2025 | Source: Instagram/thehotshotwakeup
KOCO 5 Field Meteorologist Michael Armstrong witnessed the devastation firsthand. Reporting from Highway 105 between Henney and Choctaw roads, he described the scene as vehicles and a house burned.
“It’s burning to the ground right in front of my eyes,” Armstrong said. “There are several vehicles here on fire. Extremely intense wind gusts just blowing Storm Command right now.” He called the situation “apocalyptic,” as flames consumed everything in their path. “Everything is just incinerated right now around me,” he added.
The high winds made firefighting efforts difficult. Videos from the scene showed flames consuming homes and cars while thick smoke filled the air. Emergency crews worked tirelessly to battle the inferno, but the conditions were relentless.
Authorities urged residents to evacuate as the fires moved quickly across dry terrain. The full extent of the damage remains unknown, but officials warned that the threat was far from over.
A scene from the Oklahoma wildfires posted on March 15, 2025 | Source: YouTube/@2NewsOklahoma
In Okmulgee County, the Baldhill wildfire was fully contained, while the Gun Club wildfire reached 90% containment. The Stripes wildfire remained at 50%, and the Bever wildfire had an unknown containment status.
Osage County saw multiple wildfires, with varying levels of control. The Acorn wildfire was 75% contained, the Maker wildfire reached 70%, and the Nadel wildfire was at 60%. However, containment levels for the Pulare, Tangon, and Bear wildfires remained unknown.
A scene from the Oklahoma wildfires posted on March 15, 2025 | Source: YouTube/@2NewsOklahoma
Other counties, including Oklahoma, Garvin, Seminole, Payne, Creek, Murray, and Pontotoc, reported active fires with no official containment percentages. Authorities urged residents to stay prepared for potential evacuations as conditions continued to evolve.
Emergency officials ordered evacuations in parts of Stillwater on Friday night as a fast-moving wildfire spread into neighborhoods.
Rob Hill, director of emergency management, urged residents in the area of Highway 51 and Range Road to evacuate immediately.
“We’re asking people to evacuate, the fire has crossed the road into the neighborhoods. We have several structures on fire,” Hill said. Hotels and businesses were also impacted. Authorities evacuated the Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, and La Quinta. Walmart was also cleared as a precaution.
Meanwhile, strong winds worsened conditions across the region. In a post on X, the National Weather Service in Norman reported a massive dust storm sweeping through Oklahoma. The agency warned that visibility was at its lowest in northwest Oklahoma, where dust was being pulled into the storm from the north.
Dewey and Custer counties became the latest areas impacted by Oklahoma’s raging wildfires. Late Friday night, the NWS issued a fire warning for northeastern Roger Mills County, western Dewey County, and northwestern Custer County at the request of Oklahoma Forestry Services.
Officials reported that at 9:13 p.m. CDT, a dangerous wildfire was located four miles northeast of Leedey and moving east at 1 to 3 mph. The fire threatened Camargo, Leedey, Angora, and surrounding areas.
Authorities urged residents to prepare for possible evacuations and follow all safety instructions. They warned against driving into smoke and emphasized the potential for extreme fire behavior, including wind-driven flames and torching trees.
Firefighters remained on high alert as shifting winds and dry conditions continued to fuel the blazes. Emergency crews monitored the situation closely, ready to respond as the fire advanced.