US storms: Scenes of devastation as death toll hits 18 in Georgia and Mississippi

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Michael Howie23 January 2017

The death toll from storms sweeping across southern USA rose to 18 today as scenes of devastation emerged.

Georgia was the worst hit with 14 people killed including seven who died when a tornado ripped through a mobile home park.

“There are houses just demolished,” said Norma Ford, from Albany, Georgia, the region’s largest city with 76,000 residents.

She said rushed out with other relatives on Sunday evening after hearing a reported twister had overturned her nephew’s mobile home.

Ms Ford said downed trees and powerlines made roads impassable, forcing them to walk the two miles to the mobile home park to check on her relatives.

Storm clouds: the scene after the tornado 
EPA

She said her nephew was fine, but several of his neighbours’ homes were destroyed.

The latest three deaths occurred late last night in Dougherty County where Albany is located.

Sebon Burns, the county’s deputy chief for emergency management, said search and rescue efforts were continuing today following reports of injuries and extensive damage.

The deadliest toll came before dawn yesterday when an apparent tornado blew through a mobile home park about 60 miles from Albany, levelling roughly half of the 40 homes and killing seven people.

President Donald Trump said he had spoken with Governor Nathan Deal of Georgia and “expressed our sincere condolences for the lives taken”.

“Tornadoes were vicious and powerful and strong, and they suffered greatly,” Mr Trump said during a White House ceremony where he was swearing in aides.

“So we’ll be helping out the state of Georgia.”

Two of yesterday’s deaths occurred in Brooks County when a mobile home was struck by an apparent tornado, moving it 100 yards before dawn.

“A tornado hit a mobile home, picked it up and put it in the middle of Highway 122,” Brooks County Coroner Michael Miller said.

“I don’t know if it rolled or was lifted, but it blocked the entire highway.”

Georgia emergency officials said two people were also killed in nearby Berrien County.

Four people were killed on Saturday in Mississippi when the system began its deadly assault.

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