Tornadoes rip though states, killing 20

Tornadoes rip though states, killing 20


Published: May 11, 2008 at 5:13 PM
PICHER, Okla., May 11 (UPI) -- At least 20 people were killed Sunday as tornadoes and intense storms ripped through portions of the Midwestern and Southeastern United States, officials say.

Search and rescue teams reported seven deaths in Ottawa County, Okla., 10 in Racine, Mo., one in Jasper County, Mo., and one near Purdy in Barry County, Mo., CNN reported.

More people may be dead in Missouri, said Susie Stonner, spokeswoman with the State Emergency Management Agency in Jefferson City, Mo.

"It's dark and it was over a wide area. Some of the houses have been completely destroyed. There's a possibility there will be additional people," she said.

A tornado ripped through Picher, Okla., around 6 p.m. Saturday, damaging several buildings, killing at least seven people and wounding about 150 others.

"It looks like a war zone. Some homes have fallen in, some homes have lost roofs, and some are now just slabs," said Michelann Ooten, spokeswoman for the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management.
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