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| Deadly tornadoes batter Florida | Deadly tornadoes batter Florida |
| (about 3 hours 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. |
| Residents described severe storms and "almost continuous lightning". | Residents described severe storms and "almost continuous lightning". |
| The deaths occurred in Lake County, where some of the worst of the damage was reported. Rescuers spread out over the area to search for more victims. | The deaths occurred in Lake County, where some of the worst of the damage was reported. Rescuers spread out over the area to search for more victims. |
| The storms hit during the night, at about 0315 (0815 GMT), when most residents were sleeping. | The storms hit during the night, at about 0315 (0815 GMT), when most residents were sleeping. |
| Animated guide: Tornado In pictures: Florida tornadoes | Animated guide: Tornado 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." |
| Christopher Patton of the Lake County emergency operations centre confirmed the fatalities. | Christopher Patton of the Lake County emergency operations centre confirmed the fatalities. |
| We have complete devastation of homes, of businesses, religious institutions Christopher PattonEmergency official | We have complete devastation of homes, of businesses, religious institutions Christopher PattonEmergency official |
| 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. | "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". | Another police officer said the whirlwind had thrown vehicles up in the air, leaving "tractor-trailers littered all over the Interstate". |
| 'Shocked but grateful' | 'Shocked but grateful' |
| Hilary Hague, who lives in The Villages retirement complex near Lady Lake, told BBC News that the storms had started with severe lightning at about 2100 on Thursday night, followed by heavy rain. | Hilary Hague, who lives in The Villages retirement complex near Lady Lake, told BBC News that the storms had started with severe lightning at about 2100 on Thursday night, followed by heavy rain. |
| Emergency workers have been combing the debris for survivors"It got worse until about 3am, when there was almost continuous lightning. We went outside to check, and heard a huge whooshing sound so went back inside. We thought nothing more about it until we saw the damage this morning," she said. | |
| While she and her husband had escaped relatively lightly, "houses nearby lost all their windows and roofs, and there were cars turned up onto their roofs". | While she and her husband had escaped relatively lightly, "houses nearby lost all their windows and roofs, and there were cars turned up onto their roofs". |
| She said local residents were "quite shocked - this is not a usual occurrence in this area - but also grateful" that they had apparently escaped the deaths and injuries suffered elsewhere. | She said local residents were "quite shocked - this is not a usual occurrence in this area - but also grateful" that they had apparently escaped the deaths and injuries suffered elsewhere. |
| Officials said emergency workers were searching through the rubble in the worst affected areas for more victims, while Florida Governor Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency in four counties. | Officials said emergency workers were searching through the rubble in the worst affected areas 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. | 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. |