The tornadoes tore walls off homes and flung cars through the air

Three tornadoes have ripped through the US state of Virginia, injuring more than 200 people and damaging buildings.

Virginia’s governor declared a state of emergency in the worst-affected areas, in the central and south-eastern parts of the state.

The southern city of Suffolk was hardest hit by the storms, which brought down trees and power pylons.

Witnesses quoted by local media reported seeing cars flipped over and roofs blown off houses.

"Multiple buildings have been destroyed, homes have been destroyed," said Dana Woodson, a Suffolk city spokeswoman.

She said that although the city’s Sentara Obici Hospital had suffered storm damage, it would still able to treat patients.

Several thousand households were affected by power cuts as a result of the storms, which tore through the state on Monday afternoon.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7372465.stm