Towns in the US Great Plains have been battered by a series of tornadoes leaving at least six people dead.
ADVERTISEMENTTowns in the US Great Plains have been battered by a series of tornadoes, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Six people have died as the severe storms ripped through the area on Sunday night.
In Arkansas a young couple were killed protecting their 18-month-old baby when their mobile home flipped over.
Surveying the damage in Nashville from Sunday's EF-2 tornado with @RepWesterman. pic.twitter.com/6QmRBWGbLZ
— Gov. Asa Hutchinson (@AsaHutchinson) May 11, 2015
In Texas, the governor declared a state of emergency due to severe storms and flooding. The residents of Van experienced a killer tornado which ripped up trees, power lines and destroyed homes.
Standing outside what remains of her home, Kimberli Shane described the moment the tornado hit.
“Horrifying. We didn’t hear the sirens. My son came in. This is his room or it was his room.”
As search and rescue efforts continue at least eight people remain unaccounted for in Van.
Just some of the tornado damage in #Van#Texas@CNNpic.twitter.com/nCJ6emLzq6
— Judson Jones (@thejudsonjones) May 11, 2015
LATEST: At least 2 dead, 8 unaccounted for after tornado roars through Van, Texas http://t.co/76s1sXK1jRpic.twitter.com/QIrpRAxY8f
— NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) May 11, 2015
The same day that Winter Storm Venus dumped record-breaking snowfall on South Dakota, it was also hit by tornadoes.
“The power of the tornado, you could just hear it, I mean, it was like it was just trying to suck you from inside out,” explained resident Marc Mora. “I mean just the pressure, your ears and everything are popping. But it was — it’s something I don’t wish on anybody. That was a scary moment there.”
Since last Tuesday an estimated 137 tornadoes have touched down in the US.
Clean up efforts will be hampered as flooding is expected to continue through mid-week.