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A tornado system ripped through the central and southern United States on Sunday, leaving at least 15 dead in a violent start to this year’s storm season, officials said.

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John Ward, an automobile and RV dealer, looks at tornado damage to one of his trucks in Mayflower, Ark., Sunday, April 27, 2014.Danny Johnston/The Associated Press

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Quapaw, Okla., residents survey the damage in a residential neighbourhood struck by a tornado on Sunday evening, April 27, 2014.Gary Crow/The Associated Press

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First responders gather on Main Street in Quapaw, Okla. after a tornado struck the city on Sunday evening, April 27, 2014.Gary Crow/The Associated Press

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Twisted trees and power lines remain in a residential block near Military Avenue following the tornado in Baxter Springs, Kan., Sunday, April 27, 2014.Roger Nomer/The Associated Press

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Travel trailers and motor homes are piled on top of each other at Mayflower RV in Mayflower, Ark., Sunday, April 27, 2014.Danny Johnston/The Associated Press

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A man walks past a wrecked automobile and RV on Interstate 40 in Mayflower, Ark., Sunday, April 27, 2014.Danny Johnston/The Associated Press

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This photo provided by James Bryant shows tornado damage, Sunday, April 27, 2014, in Mayflower, Ark.James Bryant/The Associated Press

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A new videographer records the damage after a tornado hit the town of Mayflower, Arkansas around 7:30 pm CST, late April 27, 2014.GENE BLEVINS/Reuters

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A damaged vehicle is seen amid debris after a tornado hit the town of Mayflower, Arkansas around 7:30 pm CST, late April 27, 2014.GENE BLEVINS/Reuters

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A damaged home is seen after a tornado hit the town of Mayflower, Arkansas around 7:30 pm CST, late April 27, 2014.GENE BLEVINS/Reuters

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Debris from a damaged home is seen after a tornado hit the town of Mayflower, Arkansas around 7:30 pm CST, late April 27, 2014.GENE BLEVINS/Reuters

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Debris from a damaged home is seen after a tornado hit the town of Mayflower, Arkansas around 7:30 pm CST, late April 27, 2014.GENE BLEVINS/Reuters

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A damaged house is seen after a tornado hit the town of Mayflower, Arkansas around 7:30 pm CST, late April 27, 2014.GENE BLEVINS/Reuters

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A man looks at a damaged home after a tornado hit the town of Mayflower, Arkansas around 7:30 pm CST, late April 27, 2014.GENE BLEVINS/Reuters

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Lori Berseth, right, is consoled after searching for her missing Black Labrador dog, Lucille, after a tornado destroyed the town of Mayflower, Arkansas, April 27, 2014.TWISTERCHASERS/Reuters

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