Tornadoes swept across the southern United States, 37 people died

A strong tornado with winds of up to 320km / h yesterday devastated an area in the suburbs of Oklahoma City, south of the United States, leaving at least 37 people dead.

>>>Cyclone devastating America, 100 casualties

The disaster occurred in the middle of the afternoon through local time, AFP reported. The tornado is believed to affect an area of ​​3.2 km wide."We predict that tornadoes like this will continue to form around Oklahoma," said the state governor of the same name, Mary Fallin.

The US National Weather Agency initially evaluated the horrifying tornado at EF-4 and said it was made up of winds of up to 267 to 322km / h, which is even more powerful. wind of a storm.

The scene was disordered after the tornado passed in Shawnee, near Oklahoma City. (Photo: AFP)

At least 37 people were confirmed dead after the cyclone passed, including 7 students of Plaza Towers. The US NBC channel said two of the victims were a mother and a small child who had been hiding in a chiller.

Many students were evacuated from a school in Moore, a 55,000-person community south of Oklahoma City. Many other children are believed to be stuck at the Plaza Towers, while anxious parents are stopped from the distance so lifeguards can rescue students. At least 24 people are thought to be missing after the tornado.

Photos from helicopters showed areas of widespread destruction. The one-storey houses in Moore were blown away, cars were swept like toys. Gas pipes were damaged, followed by a local fire.

"I didn't know what was going on at the time," one worker said. This person said that he survived the tornado by hiding in a stable.

In downtown Oklahoma, tornado sirens have ranged at least three times in the afternoon. Interstate 35, a north-south artery that passes through the center of the United States, has been closed. Only emergency rescue vehicles are circulated.

The tornado yesterday had the same path from west to east as a similar tornado in May 1999. At that time, 44 people were killed and hundreds of others were injured. Thousands of homes in Moore and south of Oklahoma City were destroyed.

Oklahoma City is in the middle of the "Vortex Road" that extends from South Dakota state to central Texas. Whirlwinds often occur in Oklahoma, but most are in deserted areas. However, the cyclone yesterday went straight into a densely populated area, raising concerns about the great loss of life.