Powerful tornado devastates US town, killing two

(Oklahoma) – Rescuers in the US state of Oklahoma were searching for survivors in the tangled remains of mobile homes and other structures demolished overnight by a powerful tornado that killed at least two people.

“Right now (we are) doing a search effort to assess everything,” El Reno Mayor Matt White told reporters in a televised news conference. “We can confirm there have been two fatalities at this time.”

“It is very traumatic.”

The city of about 17,000, 25 miles (40 kilometers) west of state capital Oklahoma City, was just recovering from serious flooding when the storm hit late Saturday with little warning.

At least 29 people were hospitalized, with injuries ranging from minor to critical.

A mobile home park was nearly flattened, and White said residents had been moved to temporary shelters.

“We do need some help,” he said. “We have moved all the people out of the trailer park.”

Photos showed widespread devastation, with many mobile homes mangled beyond recognition.