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New Oklahoma tornadoes 'kill nine' | New Oklahoma tornadoes 'kill nine' |
(14 days later) | |
A new series of tornadoes has swept through the US state of Oklahoma, killing at least nine people, including two children, officials say. | A new series of tornadoes has swept through the US state of Oklahoma, killing at least nine people, including two children, officials say. |
The tornadoes struck near the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, where 24 people were killed by a violent tornado nearly two weeks ago. | The tornadoes struck near the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, where 24 people were killed by a violent tornado nearly two weeks ago. |
The latest storm struck during Friday's evening rush hour, trapping many people in cars and causing traffic chaos. | The latest storm struck during Friday's evening rush hour, trapping many people in cars and causing traffic chaos. |
More than 60,000 homes lost power and heavy rain has caused severe flooding. | More than 60,000 homes lost power and heavy rain has caused severe flooding. |
Many streets were inundated with up to 4ft (1.2 m) of water. | Many streets were inundated with up to 4ft (1.2 m) of water. |
Storms also swept through Missouri, where Governor Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency. | Storms also swept through Missouri, where Governor Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency. |
The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Centre said the severe weather was shifting eastward on Saturday, towards Ohio and the Mississippi River Valleys. | The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Centre said the severe weather was shifting eastward on Saturday, towards Ohio and the Mississippi River Valleys. |
'Power flashes' | 'Power flashes' |
On Saturday morning, Amy Elliott, a spokeswoman for Oklahoma's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, said nine fatalities had been confirmed, including two children and seven adults. | On Saturday morning, Amy Elliott, a spokeswoman for Oklahoma's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, said nine fatalities had been confirmed, including two children and seven adults. |
Among them were a mother and a baby found in a vehicle that was hit by the tornado as it passed over a major highway - Interstate 40 - near Oklahoma City. Dozens of lorries were also overturned. | Among them were a mother and a baby found in a vehicle that was hit by the tornado as it passed over a major highway - Interstate 40 - near Oklahoma City. Dozens of lorries were also overturned. |
Two other deaths occurred in Union City and one was in El Reno, west of Oklahoma City. | Two other deaths occurred in Union City and one was in El Reno, west of Oklahoma City. |
At least 75 people were injured, with five of them critically, hospital officials said. | At least 75 people were injured, with five of them critically, hospital officials said. |
Among those who took to the roads to flee the storm was 30-year-old Brandi Vanalphen. | Among those who took to the roads to flee the storm was 30-year-old Brandi Vanalphen. |
"What got me scared was being stuck in traffic with sirens going off," she told Reuters. | "What got me scared was being stuck in traffic with sirens going off," she told Reuters. |
"I started seeing power flashes to the north... I started driving on the shoulder. People started driving over the grass." | "I started seeing power flashes to the north... I started driving on the shoulder. People started driving over the grass." |
Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett said: "For reasons that are not clear to me, more people took to the roads, more than we expected. Everyone acted differently in this storm, and as a result, it created an extremely dangerous situation. | Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett said: "For reasons that are not clear to me, more people took to the roads, more than we expected. Everyone acted differently in this storm, and as a result, it created an extremely dangerous situation. |
"I think we are still a little shaken by what happened in Moore. We are still burying children and victims, so our emotions are still strong," he added. | "I think we are still a little shaken by what happened in Moore. We are still burying children and victims, so our emotions are still strong," he added. |
Meteorologists said the tornadoes were less severe than the one that struck Moore two weeks ago. | Meteorologists said the tornadoes were less severe than the one that struck Moore two weeks ago. |
That tornado - ranked as an EF5, the most powerful - destroyed some 1,200 homes. About 33,000 people were affected and the damage has been estimated at $2bn (£1.32bn). | That tornado - ranked as an EF5, the most powerful - destroyed some 1,200 homes. About 33,000 people were affected and the damage has been estimated at $2bn (£1.32bn). |
Oklahoma is in part of the US Midwest known as Tornado Alley. Some 1,200 tornadoes strike each year, though most are relatively small. | Oklahoma is in part of the US Midwest known as Tornado Alley. Some 1,200 tornadoes strike each year, though most are relatively small. |