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Ohio tornadoes: Widespread damage, injuries and power cuts Widespread damage and power cuts after tornados hit Indiana and Ohio
(about 3 hours later)
Multiple tornadoes have struck the US state of Ohio, causing injuries and extensive damage.Multiple tornadoes have struck the US state of Ohio, causing injuries and extensive damage.
Some five million people have been left without power due to the tornadoes, which began late on Monday night. Some five million people have been left without power due to the twisters, which began late on Monday night.
Injuries were reported around the cities of Dayton and Celina, but exact numbers were not immediately clear as rescue efforts continued.Injuries were reported around the cities of Dayton and Celina, but exact numbers were not immediately clear as rescue efforts continued.
Dayton Fire Chief Jeff Lykins told the BBC they were "extremely fortunate to have no reported deaths at this point." Dayton Fire Chief has called it "pretty miraculous" that there were no reported fatalities as of Tuesday.
"We do not yet have a full appreciation for the extent of damage from the tornadoes but expect to know more once the sun comes up," he said. "At this moment, we expect that we will find significant, widespread damage". Chief Jeffrey Payne praised residents during a Tuesday morning press conference for heeding emergency warnings.
"Our community has been tested before and we have always risen above it," said Mayor Nan Whaley during the briefing.
"I have no doubt we will do so again today and in the coming week."
In some places debris choked roadways so severely that the Ohio Department of Transportation used snow plough trucks to clear streets, the Associated Press reported.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said it would be conducting damage surveys in several locations across Ohio in the coming days.The National Weather Service (NWS) said it would be conducting damage surveys in several locations across Ohio in the coming days.
At about 23:00 (03:00 GMT), the NWS confirmed that a "large and dangerous tornado" was on the ground near the city of Trotwood, which is part of Greater Dayton. At about 23:00 (03:00 GMT) on Monday, the NWS confirmed that a "large and dangerous tornado" was on the ground near the city of Trotwood, which is part of Greater Dayton.
Throughout the night, the NWS issued multiple warnings for people to take cover, stressing that it was a "life threatening situation".Throughout the night, the NWS issued multiple warnings for people to take cover, stressing that it was a "life threatening situation".
Following the tornadoes, the NWS said there were more than 70,000 power outages in Ohio, affecting some five million people. Following the tornadoes, the NWS said some five million people had been affected by power outages in Ohio.
Authorities in Dayton said the local water plants and pump stations were among those that had lost power as they urged people to conserve water.Authorities in Dayton said the local water plants and pump stations were among those that had lost power as they urged people to conserve water.
The calls came as search and rescue operations got under way, with emergency services working to clear the debris left by buildings destroyed by the tornadoes. The calls came as search-and-rescue operations got under way, with emergency services working to clear the debris left by buildings destroyed by the tornadoes.
Trotwood Mayor Mary McDonald said there were "lines and trees down", as she called on people to stay safe.
She confirmed to local media outlets that several people had been injured as a result of the extreme weather.
Mercer County Emergency Management Agency Director Mike Robbins told the BBC that seven people had been injured in Celina, with three in a serious condition.Mercer County Emergency Management Agency Director Mike Robbins told the BBC that seven people had been injured in Celina, with three in a serious condition.
Beavercreek, a Dayton suburb, issued an emergency declaration.Beavercreek, a Dayton suburb, issued an emergency declaration.
"Areas are being closed, many gas leaks also reported. Please stay out for your safety and others. We are still in the search and rescue mode," the police department wrote on Facebook."Areas are being closed, many gas leaks also reported. Please stay out for your safety and others. We are still in the search and rescue mode," the police department wrote on Facebook.
Montgomery County, which includes Dayton, said Red Cross shelters had been set up across the region, offering water and food.Montgomery County, which includes Dayton, said Red Cross shelters had been set up across the region, offering water and food.
" We are focused on supporting life saving measures, such as shutting down gas lines or locating people who are trapped by debris," it wrote on Twitter. "We are focused on supporting life saving measures, such as shutting down gas lines or locating people who are trapped by debris," it wrote on Twitter.
The US's Southern Plains and Midwest regions have been hit by several tornadoes, as well as severe rains and flooding in recent days. Tornados were also confirmed in Pendleton, Indiana, about 100 miles (160km) west of Dayton.
Thunderstorms are forecast to continue there throughout Tuesday, the Madison County Emergency Management Agency tweeted.
A spokesman for the agency told the Indianapolis Star newspaper that trees were down "on every street" in the city.
In a news release on Tuesday, Indiana officials declared the town "closed off to motorists" and requested that residents shelter in place.
Homeowners were cautioned to "beware of contractors who 'show up' at your home to make repairs" as the danger lifts, and to contact their insurance companies before beginning work.
Officers will be on patrol "for clean up crews and scammers" officials warned.
The US Southern Plains and Midwest regions have been hit by several tornadoes, as well as severe rains and flooding in recent days.
Two people were killed in Oklahoma over the weekend when a tornado tore through a hotel and mobile home park in the city of El Reno.Two people were killed in Oklahoma over the weekend when a tornado tore through a hotel and mobile home park in the city of El Reno.