Tornadoes in central United States kill at least eight people | weather news

Tornadoes leave destruction in the states of Oklahoma and Michigan, and authorities say more extreme weather conditions are ahead.

At least eight people have died as tornadoes hit the central US states of Michigan and Oklahoma, and authorities warn that more storms are expected.

Authorities said Saturday that four people died in southern Michigan and four in Oklahoma, although the death toll could still rise as rescuers assess the damage.

The storms left a path of debris, downed power lines and damaged property in the region on Friday, and local media images showed cars and buildings destroyed in the aftermath.

The National Weather Service said thunderstorms and flash flooding are expected from the Great Lakes to Texas, with a lower chance of additional tornadoes in the coming hours.

The Branch County Sheriff’s Office in Michigan said three people were killed and 12 injured in the Union Lake area near Union City.

About 50 miles (81 kilometers) southwest of Union Lake, Cass County officials also reported one death and numerous injuries after a tornado struck there as well.

“Emergency Management personnel will conduct damage assessments in the affected area as required by the state of Michigan,” the local sheriff’s office said.

At least two people were reported killed by a tornado in the town of Beggs, located in Okmulgee County in Oklahoma, according to a police statement.

The state’s governor, Kevin Stitt, also said in a social media post that two people, a mother and daughter, died in Major County on Friday.

“I have declared a state of emergency for Alfalfa, Creek, Grant, Major, Okmulgee, Rogers, Tulsa and Wagoner counties to ensure Oklahomans have the support and resources they need following last night’s storms,” ​​Stitt wrote on social media Saturday.