Severe Storms Killed At Least 21

[weatherbud]

At least 21 killed by twisters, but it could have been worse in one town.

PICHER, Okla. - The towering piles of mine waste that chased families away from this once-bustling town over the years may now be seen as a lifesaver.

The weekend's deadly tornado obliterated homes, but many were vacant, bought up long ago in government-sponsored deals — which may have prevented a greater loss of life, said Ottawa County emergency manager Frank Geasland.

The six people who died in Saturday's twister were among more than 20 people who lost their lives over the weekend as severe storms raked across the Plains and South. There were also deaths in Missouri and Georgia.

Residents of Picher tried pick up the pieces, but the question on everyone's mind was where to go next.

Picher, in far northeastern Oklahoma, in recent decades has become the site of one of the nation's largest environmental disasters because of leftover mining waste.

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