At least 17 people were killed when a powerful storm system wreaked havoc through the southern and central US on Sunday night.
The tornado touched down Sunday about 10 miles west of Little Rock, Arkansas, at around 7pm, then carved an 80-mile path of destruction as it passed through or near several suburbs north of the state capital, including Vilonia.
Local television station THV 11 said the local sheriff in Faulkner county had confirmed that six people died in Vilonia.
"It's just devastating," Sheriff Andy Shock told THV 11. Shock said the town was facing a "mass casualty situation" and that nearby interstate 40 had been closed in both directions after cars and trucks were overturned.
Emergency workers and volunteers went door-to-door to look for victims. "It turned pitch black," said Mark Ausbrooks, who was at his parents' home when the storm arrived. "I ran and got pillows to put over our heads and ... all hell broke loose."
"My parents' home, it's gone completely," he said.
The large tornado stayed on the ground as it moved north-eastward. Television footage showed badly damaged buildings and vehicles.
The nearby town of Mayflower was also badly hit. About 45 homes were destroyed and a lumberyard was damaged, said Will Elder, an alderman in the town of 2,300 people. He said at least one person was injured.
The tornado passed through the east side of town, tearing up trees and bringing down powerlines, making it difficult for the emergency services to find stricken areas in the the darkness.
"It's extremely hazardous here right now," said Elder. "The power lines are down, roads are blocked and they will have to proceed with caution."
In the western part of the state, Pulaski county sheriff's lieutenant Carl Minden said three people were killed when a tornado hit the area. Minden said several others were injured at the scene.
"I'm standing on the foundation of the house now. It's totally gone," Minden told the Associated Press.
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