Huge tornado hits Oklahoma

Monday 20 May 2013 - At least 24 people, including many children, have been killed by a huge tornado which tore through the suburbs of Oklahoma City in the USA.

The tornado is thought to be one of the biggest in US history, causing havoc as it passed over homes, schools and businesses. The twister was 2 miles wide in places.

CAUSES

• VIDEO overview from BBC Weather – How, why and what?
• The Science behind tornado alley
• VIDEO - What causes storms in 'Tornado alley'?
• Tornadoes - An animated guide

EFFECTS

VIDEO REPORTS - Impacts

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More coverage and video can be found HERE

Worst hit was Moore, south of the city, where neighbourhoods were flattened and schools destroyed by winds of up to 200mph (320km/h) as the tornado hit at 3pm in the afternoon local time.

Plaza Towers Elementary School was in the direct path of the giant twister. 24 students went missing after the building took a direct hit during 45 minutes of terror.

Take a look at these images showing the areas affected before and after the tornado struck: BEFORE AND AFTER

More amazing images here: IMAGES

BBC News - Special Report page
CNN - Special Report page

Being prepared for a tornado - Advice from FEMA plus Advice from CDC

Sources: Al Jazeera, BBC News, Daily Mail, BBC Weather, CNN, FEMA, CDC