Deadly Storms Hits Several States of US

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, November 12, 2002

Deadly Storms Hits Several States of US

Scores of people were still missing Monday in eastern Tennessee after deadly tornadoes destroyed small towns, factories and cars along a 1,000-mile stretch of thunderstorms from Ohio to Louisiana.

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Scores of people were still missing Monday in eastern Tennessee after deadly tornadoes destroyed small towns, factories and cars along a 1,000-mile stretch of thunderstorms from Ohio to Louisiana.

An emergency worker picks his way through the rubble of the Davis-Bar-B-Que restaurant outside of Tate, Ga.

The twisters killed at least 35 people and injured more than 200 as violent storm systems moved northwest Saturday night through early Monday. The death toll was highest in Tennessee, Alabama and Ohio.

The National Weather Service counted 70 tornadoes striking eight states. It was the deadliest series of tornadoes since twisters killed 43 people in Oklahoma and Kansas on May 5, 1999.

Thousands were left without power and phone service in North Carolina, West Virginia, Louisiana and other states. Many roads in areas struck by tornadoes were still impassable on Monday.

In eastern Tennessee, the small towns of Mossy Grove and Petros �� about 40 miles west of Knoxville �� were largely destroyed. The storms crushed brick houses as well as trailer homes. Seven died, more than 50 were hurt and at least 40 were unaccounted for. Authorities said most of those people were believed to be alive but had not been able to contact their families. "It's mass destruction, death," said Ken Morgan, an officer in nearby Oliver Springs. "Mossy Grove is destroyed."

In Carbon Hill, Ala., about 70 miles northwest of Birmingham, seven people were killed. Sheryl Wakefield and her family survived by retreating to a storm cellar in her house, which was leveled.

Walker County Deputy Coroner Bob Green was at the scene where the bodies of two women were found.

At the Twin Cinema in Van Wert, Ohio, moviegoers watching The Santa Clause2 were rushed into hallways and bathrooms minutes before a tornado ripped off the roof. Two cars were thrown into the building, one landing in the front row of seats and the other smashing into what had been the screen. Seven factories that employ about 400 were destroyed.

Source: Agencies

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