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Agence France-Presse

Rescuers in the US state of Oklahoma were searching for survivors in the tangled remains of mobile homes and other structures demolished by a powerful tornado that killed at least two people.
“Right now [we are] doing a search effort to assess everything,” El Reno Mayor Matt White said.
“We can confirm there have been two fatalities at this time.”
“It is very traumatic.”
The city of about 17,000, 40km (25 miles) west of state capital Oklahoma City, was just recovering from serious flooding when the storm hit late Saturday with little warning.

At least 29 people were hospitalised, with injuries ranging from minor to critical.
A mobile home park was nearly flattened, and White said residents had been moved to temporary shelters.
“We do need some help,” he said.
“We have moved all the people out of the trailer park.”
Two children killed as bouncy castle destroyed by tornado in China
Photos showed widespread devastation, with many mobile homes mangled beyond recognition.

In addition, White said, most of the second story of a local motel, the American Budget Value Inn, was lost.
“Pray for the families,” he told reporters.
“People have absolutely lost everything. You’re not going to believe the devastation.”
Twister terror: at least 23 killed in Alabama tornado strike
The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Norman, Oklahoma tweeted that Saturday’s tornado was an EF3 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, meaning it packed winds of up to 266km/h (165mph), making it capable of inflicting severe damage.
The NWS said the storm was on the ground for 3.5km.

El Reno and Oklahoma City are in what is often referred to as Tornado Alley, a region frequently hammered by storms of rare intensity, particularly in spring and early summer.
A tornado on May 3, 1999 that struck parts of the capital city reached estimated wind speeds of more than 480km/h, among the highest speeds – and with the most violent force – ever recorded anywhere.
Thirty-six people died.


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Extreme weather

Devastation after deadly twister tears through Oklahoma city of El Reno

Guests' cars sit mangled outside the American Budget Value Inn in El Reno, Oklahoma, on Sunday after a tornado barrelled through. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

Part of a roof is exposed at the American Budget Value Inn after a tornado moved through the area in El Reno, Okla., Sunday, May 26, 2019. The deadly tornado leveled a motel and tore through the mobile home park near Oklahoma City overnight. (Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman via AP)

Damage to the American Budget Value Inn is seen in an aerial photo after a tornado touched down overnight in El Reno, Oklahoma, U.S. May 26, 2019. REUTERS/Richard Rowe TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A path of destruction is seen through the American Budget Value Inn and Skyview Mobile Park Estates is seen in an aerial photo after a tornado touched down overnight in El Reno, Oklahoma, on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

Two children killed as bouncy castle destroyed by tornado in China

Rescuers struggle to pull victims from the wreckage of a bouncy castle after a tornado swept it into the air, killing two children, in northern China. Photo: Weibo

Twister terror: at least 23 killed in Alabama tornado strike

This handout image provided by Justin Merritt from his Instagram account shows a tornado in Dothan, Alabama. Photo: AFP

This photo shows debris in Lee County, Ala., after what appeared to be a tornado struck in the area Sunday, March 3, 2019. Severe storms destroyed mobile homes, snapped trees and left a trail of destruction amid weather warnings extending into Georgia, Florida and South Carolina, authorities said. (WKRG-TV via AP)

A fallen cell tower lies across U.S. Route 280 highway in Lee County, Ala., in the Smiths Station community after what appeared to be a tornado struck in the area Sunday, March 3, 2019. Severe storms destroyed mobile homes, snapped trees and left a trail of destruction amid weather warnings extending into Georgia, Florida and South Carolina, authorities said. (Mike Haskey/Ledger-Enquirer via AP)

Three dead, 172 injured after tornado hits Havana

A damaged car is seen in the tornado-hit Luyano neighborhood in Havana early on January 28, 2019. - A rare and powerful tornado that struck Havana killed three people and left 172 injured, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said early on January 28. (Photo by YAMIL LAGE / AFP)

TOPSHOT - A fallen utility pole is seen among debris in the tornado-hit Luyano neighbourhood in Havana early on January 28, 2019. - A tornado hit several neighborhoods in Havana overnight on January 28, disrupting electrical power and damaging buildings and cars, with no clear reports of casualties thus far. (Photo by ADALBERTO ROQUE / AFP)

A damaged car is seen among building rubble in the tornado-hit Luyano neighborhood in Havana early on January 28, 2019. - A rare and powerful tornado that struck Havana killed three people and left 172 injured, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said early on January 28. (Photo by YAMIL LAGE / AFP)

A damaged car lies on its side in the tornado-hit Luyano neighbourhood in Havana. Photo: AFP

News

World

United States & Canada

The city was still recovering from serious flooding when the storm hit with little warning
Buildings were ripped apart and at least 29 people were hospitalised


Rescuers in the US state of Oklahoma were searching for survivors in the tangled remains of mobile homes and other structures demolished by a powerful tornado that killed at least two people and injured 29.


Weather

Natural disasters

Macau

Devastation after deadly twister tears through Oklahoma city of El Reno

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}The city was still recovering from serious flooding when the storm hit with little warning Buildings were ripped apart and at least 29 people were hospitalised

The city was still recovering from serious flooding when the storm hit with little warning

Buildings were ripped apart and at least 29 people were hospitalised