(Washington) At least five people were killed by some of the numerous tornadoes that swept across part of the Great Plains of the central United States, local authorities said on Sunday.
After 78 tornadoes were recorded Friday, mainly in Iowa and Nebraska, 35 more were counted Saturday from north Texas to Missouri, according to the US Weather Service (NWS).
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt confirmed the deaths of four people in the state on Sunday.
A woman was killed in the small town of Sulphur, which was particularly affected, he said at a press conference.
KOCO SCREENSHOT, PROVIDED BY ASSOCIATED PRESS
Damage in the town of Sulfur
Photos and videos posted on social networks show dozens of homes completely destroyed and vehicles crushed.
More than 100 kilometers away, in Holdenville, at least two other people lost their lives, according to the disaster management department, with local media reporting a four-month-old infant among the victims.
Clearing operations continue on Sunday.
A fourth person died on a highway in Marietta, in the same state. Broadcasts by local media notably showed two semi-trailers overturned and a warehouse opened in two.
The governor of Oklahoma declared a state of emergency for 30 days.
Heavy rainfall was also recorded in several localities and weather alerts remained in effect on Sunday, including a risk of flash floods, hail and tornadoes.
And in Iowa, a man died of his injuries in hospital, his family announced to KETV NewsWatch 7, bringing the death toll to at least five.
More than 25,000 homes were without power in Texas and more than 19,000 in Oklahoma as of Sunday afternoon, according to the PowerOutage website.
Tornadoes, a meteorological phenomenon that is as impressive as it is difficult to predict, are relatively common in the United States, particularly in the center and south of the country.
However, it is very rare for large tornadoes to follow one another, according to meteorologists.