Deadly tornadoes carve destruction across America's Midwest

Powerful tornadoes that rocked the US Midwest have killed at least six people.

13:18 18 November 2013

A series of lethal tornadoes, which touched down in as many as 10 states, has flattened entire neighbourhoods in America’s Midwest, leaving a wake of destroyed homes, hundreds of uprooted trees, flipped cars, and at least six people dead.

Two were killed in Washington County, three in Massac County, and the sixth victim was reportedly from Tazewell County.

Forecasters said that the twisters could have affected more than 50 million people.

The National Weather Service said more than 60 tornadoes struck and unleashed 80mph winds and hail stones up to two inches in diameter. Among the states that were affected, Illinois was struck the hardest. However, with communications difficulty and with several impassable roads, authorities are unable to gauge the exact number of people who were injured and killed.

Michael Perdun, a fellow Washington resident, said: "I stepped outside and I heard it coming.

 

"My daughter was already in the basement, so I ran downstairs and grabbed her, crouched in the laundry room.

"All of a sudden I could see daylight up the stairway and my house was gone."