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Oklahoma ravaged by deadly tornadoes | Oklahoma ravaged by deadly tornadoes |
(about 4 hours later) | |
At least one person has died and several others were injured in a series of tornadoes that have torn through the US state of Oklahoma. | |
The worst damage was caused by a tornado near the town of Shawnee, 35 miles (55km) from Oklahoma City, local media report. | The worst damage was caused by a tornado near the town of Shawnee, 35 miles (55km) from Oklahoma City, local media report. |
A mobile home park near Shawnee is said to have been razed. | |
Twisters, hail and high winds also hit Iowa and Kansas, part of a storm system stretching from Texas to Minnesota. | |
The National Weather Service (NWS) warned of a dangerous tornado approaching the city of Wichita, Kansas. It had earlier issued urgent appeals for people in parts of Oklahoma to take cover. | The National Weather Service (NWS) warned of a dangerous tornado approaching the city of Wichita, Kansas. It had earlier issued urgent appeals for people in parts of Oklahoma to take cover. |
'Wiped out' | |
In Oklahoma, a tornado smashed a trailer park on Highway 102 near Shawnee. | |
The body of a 79-year-old man was found out in the open afterwards, the Associated Press reports. | |
A Fox25 reporter in Shawnee said trees had been shredded and homes destroyed. Downed power lines were seen lying on roads. | |
Sheriff Mike Booth said: "It's pretty bad. It's pretty much wiped out." | |
One resident, Amber Ash, said her home was hit by a tornado as she waited in a storm shelter. | One resident, Amber Ash, said her home was hit by a tornado as she waited in a storm shelter. |
"Once it passed, we got out and saw the devastation. Everything I had was destroyed." | "Once it passed, we got out and saw the devastation. Everything I had was destroyed." |
There was also serious damage in the town of Edmond but no injuries were reported. | There was also serious damage in the town of Edmond but no injuries were reported. |
Thousands of residents in the affected areas have been left without power. | Thousands of residents in the affected areas have been left without power. |
Gov Mary Fallin said a state of emergency had been declared in 16 counties to enable help to get to the worst-hit parts of Oklahoma. | Gov Mary Fallin said a state of emergency had been declared in 16 counties to enable help to get to the worst-hit parts of Oklahoma. |
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." |
The massive storm system prompted the NWS to issue a blunt warning to residents in the affected states. | The massive storm system prompted the NWS to issue a blunt warning to residents in the affected states. |
The agency said: "You could be killed if not underground or in a tornado shelter. Complete destruction of neighbourhoods, businesses and vehicles will occur. Flying debris will be deadly to people and animals." | The agency said: "You could be killed if not underground or in a tornado shelter. Complete destruction of neighbourhoods, businesses and vehicles will occur. Flying debris will be deadly to people and animals." |
Meteorologists warn that the extreme weather is expected to continue on Monday. | Meteorologists warn that the extreme weather is expected to continue on Monday. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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