Breaking News- 14 killed by fierce tornadoes in central Florida
Pastor Dale Morgan
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Perilous Times and Global Warming
14 killed by fierce tornadoes in central Florida*
By Barbara Liston
ORLANDO, Florida (Reuters) - Fourteen people were killed and at least
100 homes were damaged or destroyed when tornadoes ripped through
central Florida on Friday, an official said.
Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes struck a wide area north of Florida's
key tourism region of Orlando, reducing homes to rubble and splintered
wood. Search and rescue teams fanned out to search for survivors and
victims.
"I have 14," Christopher Patton, spokesman for the Lake County emergency
operations centre, told Reuters, citing reports of fatalities from the
county medical examiner's office. "I can confirm that number."
Patton said three people were killed in Lady Lake, about 40 miles (64
km) northwest of Orlando, and 11 died in nearby Paisley, on the edge of
the Ocala National Forest.
"We have complete devastation of homes, of businesses, religious
institutions," Patton said earlier on CNN. "It was unlike even perhaps
the hurricanes of 2004 when we had minor roof damage, screen damage,
pool damage. This is way far more devastating."
Up to 100 homes were damaged in Sumter County but officials there said
there were no reports of deaths.
Television video showed homes reduced to rubble and residents belongings
strewn across neighbourhoods.
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist postponed the scheduled presentation of his
first budget because of the weather emergency.
Walt Disney Co.'s Disney World, just south of Orlando, was not affected,
a spokeswoman said.
(Additional reporting by Michael Christie in Miami)