This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22604251
The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Massive tornado rips through Oklahoma City suburbs | Massive tornado rips through Oklahoma City suburbs |
(35 minutes later) | |
A gigantic tornado has ripped through a suburb of Oklahoma City, on the second day in a row the Midwestern state of Oklahoma has been slammed by twisters. | A gigantic tornado has ripped through a suburb of Oklahoma City, on the second day in a row the Midwestern state of Oklahoma has been slammed by twisters. |
The "mile-wide" storm destroyed a primary school, sparked fires, and flattened homes. | The "mile-wide" storm destroyed a primary school, sparked fires, and flattened homes. |
Scores of primary school children are believed to be trapped under the debris, local media reported. | |
On Sunday, at least two people died and 21 more were injured by the tornadoes that also razed a mobile home park. | |
Children are being pulled alive from the wreckage of Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, Oklahoma, a suburb just south of Oklahoma City where the twister struck about 16:00 local time (22:00 BST) on Monday. | |
There have been no reports of children injured or killed there. | |
Volunteers and first responders could be seen picking through the rubble in aerial news footage. | |
The National Weather Service (NWS) said Monday's tornado generated winds of up to 200mph (321km/h). | |
"It's going to take awhile to recover from something like this," Oklahoma Congressman Tom Cole told CNN. | "It's going to take awhile to recover from something like this," Oklahoma Congressman Tom Cole told CNN. |
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. |
'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. |
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. |
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." |
Presenters of a local afternoon news programme were forced to evacuate during a live broadcast as the tornado touched down on Sunday. | |
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. |
Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |