United States
Tornadoes strike Oklahoma, Missouri
Sunday 11 May 2008
At least 19 people died after a series of powerful tornadoes swept through the central states of Oklahoma and Missouri. (Story: T.Adamson-Coumbousis)
Sunday 11 May 2008
By AFPA series of powerful tornadoes swept across the US Great Plains late Saturday, killing at least 19 people in Oklahoma and Missouri, CNN television reported.
The report said a twister that touched down late in the afternoon in Ottawa County, Oklahoma, killed seven people and heavily damaged many buildings.
In nearby Picher, Oklahoma, several people remained unaccounted for, according to the network.
An unspecified number of residents were injured when a tornado touched down between the towns of Seneca and Neosho near the Missouri-Kansas border, CNN reported.
Ten people were killed in the community of Racine in Newton County, Missouri, the network said, citing local emergency officials.
Another person perished when thunderstorms knocked a tree onto a mobile home east of Carthage, Missouri, according to the report, and one more weather-related death was reported in Purdy, Missouri.
Authorities fear there may be additional casualties in Missouri, CNN noted.
Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry declared a state in emergency in the disaster area planned to visit it later Sunday, local media reported.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Picher and all of the other Oklahoma communities that have been impacted by the latest wave of severe weather," Henry was quoted as saying.
National Guard troops were called to shut off access to Picher.
Be the first to react.
Pour aller plus loin
Pour aller plus loin
