strip mall

アラバマ州で起きた竜巻で、少なくとも3人が死亡し子供4人が重症を負いました。

3 Dead, 4 Children Critical After Tornadoes Reported in Alabama

At least three people have died and four children are in critical condition after severe weather and reported tornadoes tore across the state of Alabama early Wednesday, destroying dozens of structures, including a 24-hour daycare facility.

The National Weather Service confirmed three fatalities after a reported tornado destroyed homes and businesses in the town of Rosalie.

About 15 to 20 structures were destroyed, including the Macklin Baptist Church and Rosalie Plaza, a convenience store, gas station and strip mall, according to the weather service and Rocky Harman, Chief Deputy of Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.

Harman said there were also several injuries, one of them critical.

The weather service said it received several preliminary reports of tornadoes in Alabama.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/deaths-children-critical-condition-tornadoes-rip-alabama/story?id=43866881

取り上げる表現は"strip mall"です。

"strip"には「裸にする」などの意味が一般的ですがここでは違う意味で使われています。

『ジーニアス英和辞典』第4版(大修館)で確認してみると、名詞で「(紙、土地、布、板などの)細長い1片、切れ」や「(米)(店、レストランなどが並ぶ)通り、歓楽街」、「(英)(新聞などの)数コマの漫画」、「(スポーツ選手などが着る)ユニフォーム」とあり、"strip mall"で「(米)大通りのショッピングセンター」という意味になるそうです。

今回の竜巻の被害は大きく、教会やコンビニ、ショッピングモールなど、およそ20戸もの建物が破壊されたとのことです。(Akim)