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Massive tornado rips through Oklahoma City suburbs | Massive tornado rips through Oklahoma City suburbs |
(12 days later) | |
A massive tornado has ripped through neighbourhoods near Oklahoma City, on the second day in a row the state has been pummelled by destructive twisters. | A massive tornado has ripped through neighbourhoods near Oklahoma City, on the second day in a row the state has been pummelled by destructive twisters. |
The "mile-wide" storm sparked fires and flattened homes as it tore through. | The "mile-wide" storm sparked fires and flattened homes as it tore through. |
On Sunday, at least two people died and 21 more were injured by the tornadoes. | On Sunday, at least two people died and 21 more were injured by the tornadoes. |
The worst damage was caused by a twister near the town of Shawnee, 35 miles (55km) from Oklahoma City, where a mobile home part was razed and thousands have lost electricity. | The worst damage was caused by a twister near the town of Shawnee, 35 miles (55km) from Oklahoma City, where a mobile home part was razed and thousands have lost electricity. |
Tornadoes, hail and high winds also hit Iowa and Kansas, part of a storm system stretching from Texas to Minnesota. | Tornadoes, hail and high winds also hit Iowa and Kansas, part of a storm system stretching from Texas to Minnesota. |
The National Weather Service (NWS) says there is a continuing risk of dangerous thunderstorms in the region that could produce hail and tornadoes on Monday afternoon. | The National Weather Service (NWS) says there is a continuing risk of dangerous thunderstorms in the region that could produce hail and tornadoes on Monday afternoon. |
'Everything is gone' | 'Everything is gone' |
On Sunday, a tornado smashed a trailer park on Highway 102 near Shawnee. | On Sunday, a tornado smashed a trailer park on Highway 102 near Shawnee. |
Steelman Estates Mobile Home Park resident James Hoke said he had emerged from a storm cellar with his family to find their mobile home vanished. | Steelman Estates Mobile Home Park resident James Hoke said he had emerged from a storm cellar with his family to find their mobile home vanished. |
"Everything is gone," he said. | "Everything is gone," he said. |
As he tried to help neighbours, Mr Hoke said he found his wife's father covered in rubble. | As he tried to help neighbours, Mr Hoke said he found his wife's father covered in rubble. |
"My father-in-law was buried under the house. We had to pull Sheetrock off of him," Mr Hoke said. | "My father-in-law was buried under the house. We had to pull Sheetrock off of him," Mr Hoke said. |
Oklahoma's state medical examiner confirmed on Monday that two people had been killed near the trailer park: Glen Irish, 79, and Billy Hutchinson, 76. | Oklahoma's state medical examiner confirmed on Monday that two people had been killed near the trailer park: Glen Irish, 79, and Billy Hutchinson, 76. |
Both lived in Shawnee, but it was not immediately clear if either or both lived in mobile home park. | Both lived in Shawnee, but it was not immediately clear if either or both lived in mobile home park. |
The Oklahoman newspaper reported that five people were brought to Norman Regional Hospital for injuries, with three injured critically. | The Oklahoman newspaper reported that five people were brought to Norman Regional Hospital for injuries, with three injured critically. |
"This is the worst I've seen in Pottawatomie County in my 25 years of law enforcement," county Sheriff Mike Booth said. | "This is the worst I've seen in Pottawatomie County in my 25 years of law enforcement," county Sheriff Mike Booth said. |
The massive storm system had prompted the NWS to issue a blunt warning to residents in the affected states. | The massive storm system had prompted the NWS to issue a blunt warning to residents in the affected states. |
"You could be killed if not underground or in a tornado shelter," the agency warned. "Complete destruction of neighbourhoods, businesses and vehicles will occur." | "You could be killed if not underground or in a tornado shelter," the agency warned. "Complete destruction of neighbourhoods, businesses and vehicles will occur." |
One resident, Amber Ash, said her home had been hit by a tornado as she waited in a storm shelter. | One resident, Amber Ash, said her home had been hit by a tornado as she waited in a storm shelter. |
"Once it passed, we got out and saw the devastation," she said. "Everything I had was destroyed." | "Once it passed, we got out and saw the devastation," she said. "Everything I had was destroyed." |
Thousands of residents in the affected areas have been left without power. | Thousands of residents in the affected areas have been left without power. |
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin declared a state of emergency in 16 counties in order to send aid to the worst-hit parts of the state. | Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin declared a state of emergency in 16 counties in order to send aid to the worst-hit parts of the state. |
At least four tornadoes ravaged the state on Sunday, part of a storm system that was moving north-east across the Midwestern states and Texas. | At least four tornadoes ravaged the state on Sunday, part of a storm system that was moving north-east across the Midwestern states and Texas. |
"Right now we're in a rescue and recovery stage," Gov Fallin said. "We're still not in the clear yet." | "Right now we're in a rescue and recovery stage," Gov Fallin said. "We're still not in the clear yet." |
A twister with an estimated 110mph (177km/h) wind speed touched down on Sunday afternoon near Wichita's Mid-Continent airport. | A twister with an estimated 110mph (177km/h) wind speed touched down on Sunday afternoon near Wichita's Mid-Continent airport. |
It knocked out power to thousands of homes and businesses, but bypassed the most populated areas of Kansas' largest city. | It knocked out power to thousands of homes and businesses, but bypassed the most populated areas of Kansas' largest city. |
Presenters of a local afternoon news programme were forced to evacuate during a live broadcast as the tornado touched down. | Presenters of a local afternoon news programme were forced to evacuate during a live broadcast as the tornado touched down. |