[Josy]

Tornadoes and storms in the south-eastern United States have killed at least 250 people, officials say.

In Alabama, the worst-hit state, more than 162 have died in recent days - including 36 killed by a tornado that devastated the city of Tuscaloosa.

Deaths and widespread devastation are also reported in Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia and Virginia.

A state of emergency has been declared in seven states, and federal aid money is being sent to Alabama.

US President Barack Obama said the damage was "nothing short of catastrophic", and pledged the government would do everything it could to help the communities affected by the storms.

Mr Obama said he would visit Alabama on Friday to see the damage for himself.

The US National Weather Service has reports of nearly 300 tornadoes since the storms began on Friday, more than 150 of them on Wednesday alone.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13217726

There is a vid at the link, I was watching some other vids last night and the tornados were huge it's so sad for all of the people who have been affected by them

[Benjamin]

Youtube video

Youtube video

[Josy]

I saw some footage of Tuscaloosa yesterday and everything was destroyed, everything just gone in the matter of minutes

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13247442

The death toll from the tornadoes that hit the southern US this week has risen to 340, in one of the worst twister outbreaks in the country's history.

[Shaun]

I've always found tornadoes completely terrifying.

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by Shaun

I've always found tornadoes completely terrifying.

-remembers the tornado in Torquay-

[Shaun]

pmsl, that one wasn't so terrifying

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by Shaun

pmsl, that one wasn't so terrifying

Hahaha, it was so lame that one.

[Liberty4eva]

Is the USA the only country in the world where tornadoes occur? If so that makes it a cool country as tornadoes are one of the most awe-inspiring natural phenomenoms in the world. If you want to see a tornado you gotta come to the States. I like that.

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by Liberty4eva

Is the USA the only country in the world where tornadoes occur? If so that makes it a cool country as tornadoes are one of the most awe-inspiring natural phenomenoms in the world. If you want to see a tornado you gotta come to the States. I like that.

No, tornadoes are a worldwide event, we get them here in the UK, India get some pretty nasty ones etc.

But the 'tornado belt' in USA gets the most and the worst ones by far because of the location it sits.