National guard called in as tornado batters US

At least 19 people have been killed after tornadoes and violent storms ripped through the central and south-eastern United States. The National Weather Service reported six deaths in Oklahoma and 13 in Missouri, but warned those tolls may rise. Media reports put the number of injured at around 250 for both states.

The National Guard has been mobilised to the Oklahoma mining town of Picher where at least six people were killed.

The severe weather started along the border between Kansas and Oklahoma on Saturday and moved into Georgia on Sunday. Officials say at least 85 thousand residents across Georgia are without power, mostly in the Atlanta region.

Winds of up to 129 kilometres per hour and hail the size of grapefruit have also been reported in some places.

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