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Last Updated: Sunday, 6 May 2007, 08:11 GMT 09:11 UK
Fresh tornadoes pound central US
Most of Greensburg now lies in ruins

A new wave of tornadoes has hit at least six counties in the central US, a day after a massive tornado devastated a small town in southern Kansas.

The fresh storms forced rescuers to abandon search efforts in Greensburg, where 95% of the town was destroyed.

Nine people in two counties were killed on Friday night as winds of up to 250mph (400km/h) tore buildings from their foundations and uprooted trees.

Severe weather warnings are in place in several states in the American Midwest.

Warnings were issued overnight for Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Iowa, with reports "well into the double digits" of tornadoes touching down.

A tornado struck Oklahoma on Saturday evening causing major damage to a school and other buildings. One minor injury was reported.

The storm then continued to move north towards Kansas.

Earlier, a tornado in central Nebraska damaged buildings and power lines, officials said.

Direct hit

Greensburg, around 120 miles (200km) west of Wichita in southern Kansas, received a direct hit by a tornado late on Friday.

At least eight people died in Kiowa County, where Greensburg is located, and one in the neighbouring Pratt County.

Tornado-damaged house and car in Greensburg - 5 May 2007
Greensburg has now been evacuated of its 1,500 residents
The tornado was described as a "wedge", a particularly wide formation said to be - in this instance - at least one mile in diameter.

Greensburg has now been evacuated of its 1,500 residents, who have been instructed not to return while emergency workers search for survivors.

Shelters have been set up in nearby towns and National Guard soldiers have been sent to the area to provide security.

City Administrator Steve Hewitt estimated that 95% of the town had been destroyed.

One of the few buildings still standing is the courthouse. The city hall, schools, businesses as well as homes were destroyed.

Mr Hewitt said it could take days for rescuers to reach survivors trapped in basements and under rubble. He warned the death toll could rise.

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SEE ALSO
Tornado flattens town in Kansas
06 May 07 |  Americas
In pictures: US tornadoes
30 Mar 07 |  In Pictures
Bush tours tornado disaster site
03 Mar 07 |  Americas
Florida struck by deadly tornado
02 Feb 07 |  Americas
Blizzards sweep across N America
15 Feb 07 |  Americas
US village 'hit by 12ft of snow'
13 Feb 07 |  Americas
Deadly storms batter central US
03 Apr 06 |  Americas
How a tornado is formed
08 Sep 06 |  Science/Nature

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