Iraq blamed for 'slow' tornado aid

The US government's response to a tornado that destroyed a town in Kansas and claimed the lives of at least 10 people was undermined by deployments to Iraq, the state's governor has said.

The massive tornado -- a Category F-5 with wind estimated at 205mph -- was part of a weekend of violent storms across the Plains that killed at least 12 people in Kansas and demolished 95% of Greensburg, a town of 1,500 residents.

"I don't think there is any question if you are missing trucks, Humvees and helicopters that the response is going to be slower," Governor Kathleen Sebelius said. "The real victims here will be the residents of Greensburg, because the recovery will be at a slower pace."

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