Tornadoes tear across Oklahoma, injure 12 people

A series of Tornadoes tore across the U.S. state of Oklahoma Wednesday evening, injuring at least 12 people and causing widespread damage.

More than a dozen tornadoes, spawned by a storm system that swept the Southern Plains, hit central and western Oklahoma Wednesday night, flipping cars, downing trees and power lines and destroying homes, according to the daily newspaper the Oklahoman.

The state's capital city, Oklahoma city, was the hardest hit. A mobile home trailer was struck by a tornado, and 12 people inside were injured including two critically.

A woman was found dead Thursday in a tornado shelter in southeast Oklahoma City, but authorities have not confirmed if the death was tornado-related.

Officials twice evacuated the Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City, sending passengers and staff into a tunnel outside the security zone.

A zoo in Tuttle, a small city near the Oklahoma city, was struck by a tornado, prompting fear that wild animals had escaped. Authorities later said all animals have been accounted for.

Oklahoma City spokeswoman Kristy Yager said the rainfall prompted the city to issue a flash flood emergency for the first time in its history.

Earlier state Governor Mary Fallin said that she would seek a declaration disaster for Oklahoma, paving the way for federal assistance.

Forecasters said storms are expected in large parts of the same region on Thursday, raising the possibilities of a new series of tornadoes. Endite