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Powerful tornadoes roar across central US

Thursday, 07 May 2015 6:25 AM [ Last Update: Thursday, 07 May 2015 6:25 AM ]

Woman surveys remains of farmstead she grew up in after it was destroyed by a tornado near Wichita, Kansas, May 07, 2015.

A series of devastating storms have wreaked havoc in central parts of the United States, threatening millions of Americans with flooding.

A series of tornadoes hit Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and Nebraska on Wednesday, overturning cars and destroying dozens of homes.

At least 29 tornado sightings had been reported across those four states and officials have warned about more storms to come throughout the week.

"Severe weather will remain a daily threat for the Plains and Midwest through [the] weekend thanks to a stubbornly slow-moving weather pattern across North America,” the National Weather Service warned in a statement.

“Storm spotter groups and emergency management personnel in the risk areas should be ready for severe weather operations," the statement added.

Oklahoma was the worst-hit state. Footage from US media showed significant destruction, including a building ravaged by the storm system, with belongings scattered across a lawn.

The powerful tornado forced authorities to shut down an international airport near Oklahoma City for several hours. A dozen people were injured in the Oklahoma City area.

Tigers and other animals were able to briefly escape from a zoo after a tornado struck the city of Tuttle, about 30 miles (48 km) southwest of Oklahoma City, though they were recaptured.

AHT/AGB

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