At least 2 killed in Oklahoma as tornadoes sweep across Plains states

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) —Two people have been killed by strong tornadoes that swept across portions of southern Oklahoma.

Johnston County Sheriff's Sgt. Stacey Pulley says a man died Monday near the town of Connerville. A storm earlier in the day killed a man in a home near Wynnewood.

Some of Monday's weather has been so bad that forecasters declared a "tornado emergency" for the towns of Roff and Hickory, which were in the path of a storm.

Officials say a tornado that swept through a rural southeast Nebraska town destroyed a home, while the homeowner hung onto a tree outside.

The National Weather Service in Omaha reported at least one tornado touched down Monday afternoon near Nehawka, about 30 miles south of Omaha.

Sandy Weyers, Cass County Emergency Management director, says the homeowner didn't make it inside by the time a tornado arrived in the area so he grabbed hold of a tree and "rode it out."

The man only suffered a few cuts and scrapes, but Weyers said the home was a total loss. No one was in the home when the roof and outer walls collapsed.

 

The National Weather Service says a tornado also touched down in central Iowa.

Officials at the National Weather Service in Des Moines confirmed a small, rope tornado touched down west of Guthrie Center a little after 8 p.m. Monday. The twister has not hit any populated areas and there are no reports of damage or injuries.

Guthrie Center is about 60 miles west of Des Moines.