String of tornadoes flattens Midwest

In one of the worst November storms to hit the Midwest in decades, 81 powerful tornadoes brought down power lines, damaged buildings, flipped cars, and injured dozens.

Illinois was hardest hit with some towns completely leveled by the storm. Many residents, such as home-owner Scott Gundy, had their homes destroyed.

"I got glass flying all over the place. Shrapnel, you know, all kinds of stuff. I have a two-by-four that's, like, through two or three walls inside of my house."

The National Weather Service said there were at least two high-speed storms with winds that reached as high as 200 mph. One of those storms hit Washington, Illinois where local resident Gundy described to NBC's Today Show the scene of his neighborhood:

"I've got cars and trees, I've got my '07 Galant three houses down. I've got neighbors crawling out of their basements," said Gundy.

Michael Perdun depicted his own personal nightmare.

"A war zone. There's debris everywhere. Other than craters, it looks like it got shelled."

Hundreds of thousands of residents sought shelter at local community centers, churches and schools. Firefighters and vehicles were sent to Washington by the National Guard while the American Red Cross set up shelters for water and food. 

Washington, Illinois Mayor Gary Manier says the community is pulling together to help one another.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn says that the state is now moving towards the recovery phase for communities.

"We continue our search and rescue of any victims who are still in harm's way," said Quinn. "Our state police are on the scene as well as local law enforcement. But we are beginning the process of recovering." 

Meanwhile power is still out for thousands of residents as crews struggle to reach areas where power lines are torn down.

Missouri electric company Ameren spokesman Kent Martin says that the devastation caused by the storms have been a major challenge for the company to contain.

"When you actually have tree limbs and an entire tree falling our line, that literally interrupts an entire circuit and that's when our crews have to go out there, free our line from the trees or the branches in order to restore the power," said Quinn. 

Intense November twisters are unusual for the region. The peak for severe storms usually occurs in April and May.

However, Patti Thompson with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency says despite the lateness of the event, they were prepared and were able to forewarn residents several days in advance. 

"The weather service had been in contact with us over the last few days so we knew that there was a potential for severe weather," said Thompson.

But despite the ferocity of the storm, Mayor Manier says that it was a miracle that so many people were spared.

"It's god's presence. I mean, we're a blessed community. I think we're very fortunate," said Manier.

President Barack Obama has issued a statement saying he has been briefed on the disaster and will work with state, local and federal officials on the situation

http://voiceofrussia.com/us/2013_11_19/String-of-tornadoes-flattens-Midwest-7140/