Deadly Storms Across The South

Tornadoes Deadly Storms Emergency crews are searching for victims who might have been buried under debris by violent storms and tornadoes that roared through the South overnight

by News 5/Associated Press

Published: Wed, February 06, 2008 - 10:36 am CST Last Updated: Wed, February 06, 2008 - 1:11 pm CST

State-by-state look at deaths and damage caused by a string of
tornadoes that tore across the South:

ALABAMA: At least three people killed in Lawrence County and a
fourth died in Jackson County. An apparent tornado damaged eight
homes in Walker County, and a pregnant woman suffered a broken arm
when a trailer home was tossed by the winds, according to the
county's emergency management director.

Reaction from Governor Bob Riley
“Early this morning I spoke with President Bush on the phone and he assured me his administration stands ready to help Alabama if we need federal assistance. State agencies are already working closely with local officials and first responders to help the victims of these terrible storms. Teams from our Alabama Emergency Management Agency are in those communities right now helping with recovery efforts. These communities can rest assured that the state is prepared to deal with any emergency requests. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families at this very difficult time.”

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ARKANSAS: At least 13 people killed, including parents and their
11-year-old daughter in Atkins, about 60 miles northwest of Little
Rock. Their home took a "direct hit" from the storm, an emergency
official said.
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KENTUCKY: At least seven people killed, including a western
Kentucky couple in their mobile home with their adult daughter.
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MISSISSIPPI: A twister shredded warehouses in an industrial park
in the city of Southaven, just south of Memphis.
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TENNESSEE: At least 24 people were killed, including a
70-year-old man whose mobile home was leveled in Macon County.
A fire erupted at a natural gas pumping station northeast of
Nashville that authorities said could have been damaged by the
storms. Eight students were trapped in a battered dormitory at
Union University in Jackson until they were finally freed; about 51
students were taken to the hospital. Winds collapsed roof of Sears
store at a mall.

Greg Carbin, a meteorologist with the National Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okalhoma, says the last time this many people died in a tornado
outbreak was May 3, 1999, when 46 people were killed during when 70 twisters touched down in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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