Atlanta, GA 4/18/2011 10:31:20 PM
News / Weather

Severe Weather, Tornadoes Kill 45 People In 6 States

Authorities say severe weather and tornadoes that ripped through the South over the weekend killed at least 45 people across 6 states. Over the past 2 days, 241 tornadoes were reported in 14 states.

North Carolina was the worst hit with 22 of the 45 deaths. Authorities there say at least 80 people were injured in the counties of Bertie, Bladen, Cumberland, Harnett, Lee and Wake. The North Carolina governor’s office reported more than 700 homes were damaged and at least 130 other were destroyed.

“I've seen a lot of damage in North Carolina over the years, but this is the most catastrophic I have ever seen. The destruction is massive,” Governor Beverly Perdue told CBS News. “We have 23 counties that are really, really hurt badly, lots of tremendous property damage, schools lost, infrastructure damage.”

At least 7 people have been confirmed dead in Arkansas, 7 in Alabama, 6 in Virginia, 2 in Oklahoma and 1 in Mississippi.

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