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Oklahoma ravaged by deadly tornadoes Oklahoma ravaged by deadly tornadoes
(about 1 hour 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. At least one person has died and 21 were injured in a series of tornadoes that have torn through the US state of Oklahoma.
The worst damage was caused by a twister near the town of Shawnee, 35 miles (55km) from Oklahoma City, local media report. The worst damage was caused by a twister near the town of Shawnee, 35 miles (55km) from Oklahoma City.
A mobile home park near Shawnee is said to have been razed. A mobile home park near Shawnee is said to have been razed and thousands in the area are without power.
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) 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) says that there is a continuing risk of dangerous thunderstorms in the region that could produce hail and tornadoes on Monday afternoon.
'Wiped out' 'Everything is gone'
In Oklahoma, a tornado smashed a trailer park on Highway 102 near Shawnee.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. 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.
A Fox25 reporter in Shawnee said trees had been shredded and homes destroyed. Downed power lines were seen lying on roads. "Everything is gone," he said.
Sheriff Mike Booth said: "It's pretty bad. It's pretty much wiped out." As he tried to help neighbours, Mr Hoke said he found his wife's father covered in rubble.
One resident, Amber Ash, said her home was hit by a tornado as she waited in a storm shelter. "My father-in-law was buried under the house. We had to pull Sheetrock off of him," Mr Hoke said.
Pottawatomie County Sheriff Mike Booth confirmed a 79-year-old man was found dead out in the open at Steelman Estates.
"This is the worst I've seen in Pottawatomie County in my 25 years of law enforcement," the sheriff added.
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."
Another 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.
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 said a state of emergency had been declared in 16 counties to enable help to get to the worst-hit parts of Oklahoma.Oklahoma Governor 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. Separately, a tornado with an estimated 110mph wind speed touched down near Wichita's Mid-Continent airport, knocking out power to thousands of homes and businesses but bypassing the most populated areas of Kansas' largest city.
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." Presenters of a local afternoon news programme were forced to evacuate during a live broadcast as the tornado touched down.
Meteorologists warn that the extreme weather is expected to continue on Monday. Meteorologists warn that the extreme weather is expected to continue on Monday, with a moderate risk of hail storms and tornadoes in parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri.
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