Twisters: Death toll hits 35 after US tornadoes

CHICAGO: Rescuers and residents searched house to house on Saturday a day after tornadoes killed at least 35 people and injured hundreds, tearing across the US heartland and virtually wiping out communities. Even as stunned Americans grappled with the magnitude of the destruction brought by Friday’s twisters, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued new tornado warnings for parts of Georgia and Florida, in the country’s southeast. Trucks and trees were tossed aside like playthings as deadly funnel clouds ravaged parts of eight states in the US Midwest and South.  Deaths were reported in four states, including Kentucky, where Governor Steve Beshear’s office confirmed 17 fatalities. A total of 13 tornados roared across the state, causing damage in 40 counties and knocking out power to 22,000 people.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 4^th, 2012.