In pictures: Mid-West tornadoes

1 of 10 Some of the worst storms and tornadoes in years struck America's Mid-West, killing at least 32 people.

2 of 10 They left a trail of destruction a quarter-mile (400 metres) wide in some places.

3 of 10 Trees snapped "like matchsticks", said witnesses...

4 of 10 ... and entire neighbourhoods in some towns were simply obliterated...

5 of 10 In one area of Kansas City, houses in the path of a tornado were destroyed, while others nearby were untouched.

6 of 10 Officials later said at least 70 tornados swept through the area.

7 of 10 Fearing people could have been trapped, rescue workers began the painstaking task of removing rubble by hand.

8 of 10 Some people were guarding whatever left of their property to protect it from looters.

9 of 10 Later many have begun salvaging belongings from their tornado-battered homes...

10 of 10 But others were simply grateful to have survived