State of emergency declared as deadly tornadoes tear through Oklahoma
Powerful twisters strike U.S. states of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas and Illinois, and Oklahoma.
Governor Fallin declared a State of Emergency for 16 Oklahoma counties: Caddo, Cleveland, Comanche, Creek, Garfield, Grant, Greer, Kiowa, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Pawnee, Payne and Pottawatomie.
The state of emergency was declared in the 16 counties because they sustained the heaviest damage from the twisters, straight-line winds, fist-size hail and flash flooding, which began late Saturday evening.
The worst damage was caused by a deadly tornado that struck near the town of Shawnee, about 50km from Oklahoma City, leveling a mobile home park.
At least one person was confirmed dead in Pottawatomie County and two dozen others were reportedly injured.
In addition to Shawnee, several other towns and communities were severely affected by the extreme weather including Bethel Acres, Carney, Edmond, Little Axe, Norman and Wellston.
Storm-related injuries have also been reported in other parts of Oklahoma, as well as in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Illinois and Iowa.
SPC Filtered Storm Reports for May 19, 2013
Mega Tornadoes to Bombard U-S Tornado Alley
Severe Weather Threat to Continue Through Monday Across the Central States —NWS
After over 300 reports of severe weather on Sunday, another round of dangerous severe weather is expected Monday with the greatest threat once again in the southern Plains targeting Oklahoma and parts of Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas. However, severe weather is possible much further north towards Chicago and Madison as well.
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