Two dead and destruction from tornadoes and storms in the central US

Strong storms that included tornadoes, gales and hail swept through parts of the central United States on Wednesday, killing at least two people, injuring several others, destroying homes and thousands without power.

The National Weather Service began issuing tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings Wednesday afternoon for Oklahoma, Kansas and Iowa, advising people to take cover.

Several tornadoes were reported in central Oklahoma Wednesday night, one of which tore through the towns of Shawnee and Cole.

At least two people died in the small town of Cole, in McClain County, and there were others suffering from cuts and bruises to injuries requiring hospitalization, although the numbers were not immediately clear, while hundreds more worked in the operations. search.

There were also downed power lines, downed trees and houses, and other buildings suffered major damage or were destroyed. Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee and an airport were damaged before the tornado moved away and lost strength.

At the height of the day, more than 23,000 customers were without power in Oklahoma, according to poweroutage.us.

Several residents south of Oklahoma City reported being trapped in their dugouts, mailboxes blown up and emergency crews using GPS to locate addresses, McClain County Sheriff’s Office told KFOR-TV.

Two people in Cole survived the storm unharmed after taking cover in a sewer, the television station said.

Storms this spring have spawned tornadoes in the South, Central Northwest and Northeast, killing dozens of people.

Cole is 41 kilometers south of Oklahoma City.

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