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| Deadly tornadoes batter Florida | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms that swept across the US state of Florida have left at least 14 people dead, local officials say. | Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms that swept across the US state of Florida have left at least 14 people dead, local officials say. |
| The storms ripped roofs off scores of houses and left thousands without power across a central swathe of the state. | The storms ripped roofs off scores of houses and left thousands without power across a central swathe of the state. |
| The deaths occurred in Lake County, where some of the worst of the damage was reported. Rescue work was said to be under way. | The deaths occurred in Lake County, where some of the worst of the damage was reported. Rescue work was said to be under way. |
| Television images showed destroyed buildings, debris and fallen trees. | Television images showed destroyed buildings, debris and fallen trees. |
| The storm hit during the night, when most residents were sleeping. | The storm hit during the night, when most residents were sleeping. |
| Guide to tornadoes | Guide to tornadoes |
| "It woke me out of a dead sleep," David Wholly told the Orlando Sentinel newspaper. | |
| "I heard the noise, and it sounded like a train coming and I ran to the bathroom. The tree went right through the bedroom window where my head was." | |
| Lake County official Kevin Lenhart told CNN television: "This storm moved in the middle of the night, so fast that it was the worst possible time, while people were sleeping." | |
| State of emergency | |
| Christopher Patton of the Lake County emergency operations centre confirmed the fatalities. | Christopher Patton of the Lake County emergency operations centre confirmed the fatalities. |
| He said that three people were killed in the town of Lady Lake, where dozens of mobile homes were destroyed. A church in the town was demolished. | He said that three people were killed in the town of Lady Lake, where dozens of mobile homes were destroyed. A church in the town was demolished. |
| Another 11 people died in nearby Paisley, Mr Patton said. | Another 11 people died in nearby Paisley, Mr Patton said. |
| Officials said emergency workers were searching through the rubble for more victims, while Florida Governor Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency for four counties. | Officials said emergency workers were searching through the rubble for more victims, while Florida Governor Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency for four counties. |
| "Our priority today is search and rescue," he said. | "Our priority today is search and rescue," he said. |
Do you live in the region? Have you been affected by this story? Send us your experiences using the form below. | Do you live in the region? Have you been affected by this story? Send us your experiences using the form below. |
| You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100 | You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100 |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |
| When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |