Gov.: Twister Damage 'Wrath Of God'

Death Toll From Devastating Swarm Of Tornadoes In 8 States At 28

(CBS/AP) 
In Tennessee's Dyer and Gibson counties, the hardest hit areas, rescue workers were still searching the rubble of brick buildings and mobile homes. At least 75 people were injured, 17 of them critically, Bredesen said.

The Democratic governor said he had requested a federal disaster declaration for the two counties. He told Chen he hadn't heard back Tuesday morning but said, "I've been assured that it will be processed quickly, and we'll get some help down here."

The storms developed when a cold front approaching from the West slammed into a mass of warm, humid air, said Memphis meteorologist Jody Aaron. Preliminary reports indicated a swarm of 64 tornadoes touched down in seven of the eight states, the weather service's Storm Prediction Center said. Ohio had extensive wind damage but no confirmed tornadoes.

Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher compared the destruction to "Sherman's march" through the South during the Civil War.

Part of K&G Fashion Superstore's roof and wall collapsed in Fairview Heights, Ill., killing Delancey Moore, 54. His best friend, Doug Young, an off-duty police officer working security, was freed from the wreckage after about 45 minutes.

"I'm so blessed," Young, 54, said Monday by telephone from his hospital bed, where he had a bruised chest and various cuts.

The violent weather injured dozens of Arkansans and destroyed numerous homes and businesses. Gov. Mike Huckabee authorized the National Guard to help clean up the town of Marmaduke, where brick shells were all that remained of some houses. He also declared emergencies in seven counties to allow residents to seek state aid.

In Newbern, Acosta spoke with resident Betty Sisk, who remembers hearing the sound of nature's fury roaring outside her front door. "I ran into the closet with the kids, and I sat down and held on with them. And I said, pray, babies, it's here," Sisk said. The twister blew apart her house, launching the entire family into the front yard.

Larry Taylor, who owns the town's only funeral home, planned to hold services later this week for his son and daughter-in-law and the couple's two young sons.

"I have to," Taylor said of his task of preparing their bodies for burial. "I'd give everything I had for that not to have happened. Those little boys were my life."