This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/6326691.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Hunt for Florida tornado victims Hunt for Florida tornado victims
(10 minutes later)
Rescuers in Florida are searching for survivors after severe storms and a tornado left at least 19 people dead in the southern US state.Rescuers in Florida are searching for survivors after severe storms and a tornado left at least 19 people dead in the southern US state.
"Our priority today is search and rescue," state Governor Charlie Crist said, after declaring a state of emergency in four affected counties."Our priority today is search and rescue," state Governor Charlie Crist said, after declaring a state of emergency in four affected counties.
There are fears that the death toll will rise further.There are fears that the death toll will rise further.
The storms hit before dawn on Friday, damaging hundreds of houses and leaving more than 10,000 people without power.The storms hit before dawn on Friday, damaging hundreds of houses and leaving more than 10,000 people without power.
All the deaths occurred in the central Lake County, where some of the worst of the damage was reported.All the deaths occurred in the central Lake County, where some of the worst of the damage was reported.
House-to-house searchHouse-to-house search
Rescue teams with dogs are continuing to comb through piles of debris in the most affected areas.Rescue teams with dogs are continuing to comb through piles of debris in the most affected areas.
Animated guide: Tornado In pictures: Florida tornadoesAnimated guide: Tornado In pictures: Florida tornadoes
Officials say the priority is finding survivors who may be trapped, but also to recover bodies.Officials say the priority is finding survivors who may be trapped, but also to recover bodies.
"We are doing house-to-house searches at this time," Lake County's emergency services' chief Jerry Smith said."We are doing house-to-house searches at this time," Lake County's emergency services' chief Jerry Smith said.
Officials say it could take several days to determine the exact number of dead.Officials say it could take several days to determine the exact number of dead.
Shelters have been opened to house the affected residents.Shelters have been opened to house the affected residents.
'Like a train''Like a train'
The storms hit during the night, at about 0315 (0815 GMT), when most residents were sleeping.The storms hit during the night, at about 0315 (0815 GMT), when most residents were sleeping.
We have complete devastation of homes, of businesses, religious institutions Christopher PattonEmergency officialWe have complete devastation of homes, of businesses, religious institutions Christopher PattonEmergency official
Residents spoke of "almost continuous lightning", likening the storm to a freight train that hit their homes.Residents spoke of "almost continuous lightning", likening the storm to a freight train that hit their homes.
"It woke me out of a dead sleep," David Wholly told the Orlando Sentinel newspaper."It woke me out of a dead sleep," David Wholly told the Orlando Sentinel newspaper.
"I heard the noise, and it sounded like a train coming and I ran to the bathroom. The tree went right through the bedroom window where my head was.""I heard the noise, and it sounded like a train coming and I ran to the bathroom. The tree went right through the bedroom window where my head was."
Officials later confirmed that 13 people were killed in the Paisley and six in the Lady Lake areas of Lake County. Among the dead were several children.Officials later confirmed that 13 people were killed in the Paisley and six in the Lady Lake areas of Lake County. Among the dead were several children.
Dozens of mobile homes and church in Lady Lake were demolished.Dozens of mobile homes and church in Lady Lake were demolished.
'Shocked but grateful''Shocked but grateful'
Hilary Hague, who lives in The Villages retirement complex near Lady Lake, told BBC News that the storms had started with severe lightning, followed by heavy rain.Hilary Hague, who lives in The Villages retirement complex near Lady Lake, told BBC News that the storms had started with severe lightning, followed by heavy rain.
Entire streets have been wiped out by the storms Shocked residents could barely hide their sadness at the damage
She said it got worse later " when there was almost continuous lightning".She said it got worse later " when there was almost continuous lightning".
"We went outside to check, and heard a huge whooshing sound so went back inside. We thought nothing more about it until we saw the damage this morning," she said."We went outside to check, and heard a huge whooshing sound so went back inside. We thought nothing more about it until we saw the damage this morning," she said.
While she and her husband had escaped relatively lightly, "houses nearby lost all their windows and roofs, and there were cars turned up onto their roofs".While she and her husband had escaped relatively lightly, "houses nearby lost all their windows and roofs, and there were cars turned up onto their roofs".
She said local residents were "quite shocked - this is not a usual occurrence in this area - but also grateful" that they had apparently escaped the deaths and injuries suffered elsewhere.She said local residents were "quite shocked - this is not a usual occurrence in this area - but also grateful" that they had apparently escaped the deaths and injuries suffered elsewhere.
In 1998, tornadoes killed 42 people in Florida in what was the state's worst storm on record.In 1998, tornadoes killed 42 people in Florida in what was the state's worst storm on record.

Do you live in the region? Have you been affected by this story? Send us your experiences using the form below.

Do you live in the region? Have you been affected by this story? Send us your experiences using the form below.
You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100
Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and videoClick here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Name:
Name: