Missouri, Oklahoma tornadoes claim 22

Crews and search dogs hunted yesterday for survivors or bodies in the piles of debris left after a tornado rumbled through the depressed mining town of Picher, Oklahoma, a day earlier and killed at least seven people. The same storm system left at least 15 other people dead in Missouri and Georgia.

Officials held out hope that they would not find any more bodies in Picher, once a bustling mining center of 20,000 that dwindled to about 800 people as families fled lead pollution here.

Residents said the tornado created a surreal scene as it moved through Picher late Saturday afternoon, injuring 150 people, overturning cars, throwing mattresses and twisted metal high into the canopy of trees.