Tornadoes hit U.S. midsection, damaging homes, power lines

OKLAHOMA CITY – Strong storms, including some tornadoes, were churning across the nation’s midsection Saturday. Authorities in Oklahoma said there were reports of damage to homes and businesses and significant damage to power lines.

Rain and winds were also moving across parts of Texas, Kansas, Nebraska and Minnesota, where there were reports of tornadoes.

Tornadoes touched down Saturday in southwestern Oklahoma near the towns of Elmer and Tipton, said National Weather Service forecaster Daryl Williams. He said another touched down briefly near Elk City along Interstate 40, and there were several other possible tornadoes.

Department of Emergency Management spokeswoman Keli Cain said damage was reported in western Oklahoma.

“Right now we haven’t had any reports of injuries or fatalities, and we hope it will stay that way,” Cain said.

Williams said the tornadoes in southwestern Oklahoma were very strong but were in largely isolated areas.