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US storms: At least 19 dead in Georgia and Mississippi | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Severe weather has killed at least 19 people in the US South and injured many more, emergency officials say. | |
Weather officials warn of high winds, rain and flash flooding as the weather system now moves up the east coast. | |
Four people were killed in Mississippi and 15 in Georgia during the weekend's tornadoes and thunderstorms. | |
President Trump has pledged federal assistance to the three states that have been most-affected by the storms. | |
"The tornadoes were vicious and powerful and strong and they suffered greatly," Mr Trump said on Sunday at the White House. | |
"So we'll be helping out," he added. | |
The Georgia Emergency Management Agency said that the 15 victims were in the southern Cook, Brooks, Dougherty and Berrien counties. | |
Most of the deaths occurred in Cook County, when a mobile home park was apparently struck by a tornado. | Most of the deaths occurred in Cook County, when a mobile home park was apparently struck by a tornado. |
Cook County coroner Tim Purvis said numerous mobile homes had been "levelled" before dawn on Sunday in the park near the city of Adel. | |
Emergency teams are still searching for survivors beneath the rubble, he added. | |
Mr Purvis estimated that the park has about 40 mobile homes in total, and roughly half were destroyed. | Mr Purvis estimated that the park has about 40 mobile homes in total, and roughly half were destroyed. |
"These storms have devastated communities and homes in South Central Georgia, and the state is making all resources available to the impacted areas," Governor Deal said in a statement. | "These storms have devastated communities and homes in South Central Georgia, and the state is making all resources available to the impacted areas," Governor Deal said in a statement. |
"Trailers are just flat, just laid on top of people", rescue worker Debbie Van Brackel told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. | |
"You need a bulldozer to pull it off. Trailers are upside down." | |
In Brooks County, coroner Michael Miller said two people died when an apparent tornado tossed a mobile home around 100 yards into the middle of Highway 122. | In Brooks County, coroner Michael Miller said two people died when an apparent tornado tossed a mobile home around 100 yards into the middle of Highway 122. |
Swathes of the south-eastern United States have been hit by storms over the weekend. | Swathes of the south-eastern United States have been hit by storms over the weekend. |
Two tornadoes were also reported in South Carolina, officials say. | |
In southern Mississippi, four people died in the path of a tornado with winds above 218 km/h (136 mph). | In southern Mississippi, four people died in the path of a tornado with winds above 218 km/h (136 mph). |
More than 50 others were injured and about 480 homes were damaged, state officials said. | More than 50 others were injured and about 480 homes were damaged, state officials said. |
The Georgia Emergency Management Agency issued advice on the best and worst places to shelter from a tornado late on Saturday, advising locals in the path of a tornado to cover themselves with blankets or a mattress for protection. | The Georgia Emergency Management Agency issued advice on the best and worst places to shelter from a tornado late on Saturday, advising locals in the path of a tornado to cover themselves with blankets or a mattress for protection. |