Violent tornadoes and high winds decimated homes, wiped out schools and toppled semitractor-trailers as a monster storm that killed at least 32 people ripped its way across the central and southern U.

According to the SPC: “The HIGH risk area almost always means a major severe weather outbreak is expected, with great coverage of severe weather and enhanced likelihood of extreme severe (i.e., violent tornadoes or extreme convective wind events over a large area).”

Tornadoes were also a large threat. The Midwest was under a level 4/5 risk for severe weather on Friday and Dixie Alley was under a level 5/5 risk for severe weather on Saturday. The threat of tornadoes was elevated this time around because of an extremely conducive atmosphere.