Nearly half of the 21 people killed by a tornado that smashed parts of Oklahoma and Missouri over the weekend died in cars, troubling experts who say vehicles are among the worst places to be during a twister.

Stunned survivors picked through the little that was left of their communities Sunday after tornadoes tore across the Plains and South, killing at least 22 people in three states and leaving behind a trail of destruction and stories of loss.

Search crews combed debris-strewn fields for possible tornado victims Sunday as residents picked through the remains of homes demolished by storms that smashed through the Plains and South, killing at least 21 people in three states.

A tornado that spun across the Oklahoma-Missouri border killed several people as severe storms raked the nation’s heart Saturday, taking at least 16 lives, mangling buildings and trapping people in rubble in the storm-weary region.

A tornado that spun across the Oklahoma-Missouri border killed several people as severe storms raked the nation’s heart Saturday, taking at least 16 lives, mangling buildings and trapping people in rubble in the storm-weary region.