Two Dozen Tornadoes Touch Down in 24 Hours

Oct. 19, 2007 — -- The United States has been hit with three days of tornadoes, with two dozen new tornadoes touching down in the last 24 hours — an incredibly rare outbreak for October.

It's all part of a powerful storm front that has blasted across the country's midsection and is now headed to the East Coast.

Residents of Pensacola, Fla., are much more familiar with hurricanes, so Thursday's tornado was quite a surprise.

The twister, more than 100 yards wide, barreled down on the Greater Little Rock Baptist Church and the day-care center next door. Twenty-five children were hunkered down inside the center, as the winds peeled back the roof. All of the children, including some infants, survived.

"It was quick and precise and it was like — just like that, devastation, tore down the structures and everything just like that," said resident Daniel Armour.

The Rev. Lonnie D. Wesley said the devastation to the church was unbelievable.

"I've heard a few people liken it to a grenade going on inside the building, maybe even two grenades," Wesley told "Good Morning America" today. "All because of the grace of God, no one lost their lives. No one was seriously injured. And for that we are forever grateful."

The minute the storm passed, desperate parents gathered in front of the church to find out about their kids, who were all brought out safely.

"I just wanted to get to my child, and hopefully everything was safe," said parent Shalandra McGraw. "But I just thank God everything and everyone is fine."

At Pensacola's largest shopping mall, authorities say they were surprised to find no one injured. Outside in the parking lot, cars were turned on their side or flipped upside down.

Across town, dozens of homes were destroyed, but again, there were few injuries.

Wesley said that rain was still coming down early this morning and that some residents have been left homeless.

"If you know the work of prayer, pray for Pensacola, this community and Greater Little Rock Baptist Church," Wesley said.