Deadly Tornadoes Rip Through Midwest, More Expected - East Idaho News
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Deadly Tornadoes Rip Through Midwest, More Expected

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Getty 040312 TornadoStock?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1369050793271iStockphoto/Thinkstock(SHAWNEE, Okla.) — At least two people are dead after a series of tornadoes ripped across the Midwest on Sunday, injuring dozens while leaving a path of devastation in a region that is expected to see more severe weather later on Monday.

More than 50 tornadoes struck six central states — Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma — over the weekend.  The hardest hit were Kansas, with 32 tornadoes, and Oklahoma, with seven.

The National Weather Service says that one of the tornadoes near Wichita, Kan., registered EF-1 winds up to 110 mph.  It was on the ground for an estimated 4.5 miles.

In Shawnee, Okla., where one of the deaths was reported, it’s believed that at least four twisters touched down.  Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin declared a state of emergency in 16 counties on Sunday, triggering a request for federal assistance.

On Monday, Shawnee and other areas hit by tornadoes over the weekend could see more severe weather.  Areas just north of Dallas, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Okla., and Springfield, Mo., are at a moderate risk for tornadoes.

Large cities like St. Louis, Chicago, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Detroit, Green Bay, Wis., and Milwaukee could also see damaging hail and a chance for isolated tornadoes.

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