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| Deadly tornadoes batter Florida | 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 class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6325415.stm">In pictures: Florida tornadoes | |
| "It woke me out of a dead sleep," David Wholly told the Orlando Sentinel newspaper. | "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." | "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." | 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 | 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. |
| "We have complete devastation of homes, of businesses, religious institutions," he said. | |
| Another police officer said the whirlwind had thrown vehicles up in the air, leaving "tractor-trailers littered all over the Interstate". | |
| Officials said emergency workers were searching through the rubble for more victims, while Florida Governor Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency in four counties. | |
| Officials said the arrival of daylight would make the search easier - though the National Weather Service said the situation remained dangerous, with the possibility of further tornadoes. | |
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. |