Killer tornado destroys US town

Houses were reduced to rubble as the storm virtually flattened large areas of the town. Rescue teams with dogs searched through the ruins for trapped residents after the tornado hit on Thursday night.

According to the National Weather Service, the tornado was of an EF-4 level, reaching wind speeds of about 300 kilometers per hour (186mph).

Several motorists filmed the massive twister as it drove across the countryside, damaging roads and cutting power lines.

Fairdale resident Taylor Strehl said: “It sounded almost like a jet engine blowing wind past the house. Our whole home seemed to almost vibrate. That is the reason why this building was knocked over because of such an unbelievable force.”

He added: “It’s uncommon that we have things like this here. But people know it’s short, 30 seconds of terror, and then things are on the up and up.”