Washington: Tornadoesripped through central Florida,leaving at least 19 people dead and destroying hundreds of homes in fourcounties.

Florida Governor Charlie Crist has declared a state ofemergency in four counties northwest of Orlando.Crist asked the federal government in Washingtonfor disaster assistance after a series of tornadoes and thunderstorms hit thesouthern state yesterday (Feb 2, 2007).

All the 19 deaths were reported from LakeCounty, but the storm also struckSeminole, Volusia and Sumtercounties.

Hours after the storm, search and rescue efforts continuedamong the ruins of mobile homes that had been completely flattened with debrisscattered across the area. Trees were ripped from the ground and large truckswere thrown from the street.

Senator Bill Nelson, who toured the devastated areas byhelicopter, said the region looks like a total war zone.

The Lady Lake Assembly of God church, which was built towithstand strong winds, was completely destroyed, CNN reported.

"Everything just exploded," Ralph Shifflett, 62,told the Sentinel.

Another resident told sources,"I went through threehurricanes, but nothing like this." 

Over 20,000 people are said to have remained without power.