String of tornadoes hits Midwest states

CORDELL, Okla. -- Emergency crews and residents began cleaning up Wednesday after a series of tornadoes tore across the Plains, severely damaging more than 100 homes and leaving tons of debris.

Five people, including an infant, were treated for injuries from flying glass and debris.

Most of the damaged homes were in Cordell, a town of 3,000 in western Oklahoma, where a twister leveled houses, toppled power lines and tossed cars like toys in its three-mile path through town Tuesday evening. Six tornadoes also caused damage in central Nebraska.

About 300 houses -- about a third of Cordell -- were still without power Wednesday, as people returned home, Mayor Phil Kliewer said. Public schools were closed and residents were told to boil drinking water in case supplies were contaminated.

Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating issued a state disaster declaration after touring the area Wednesday. No damage estimates were available.

City Administrator Bob Lambert, whose own home was hit hard, believes the sirens that sounded moments before the tornado hit town saved countless lives.

"They understand when it blows, find shelter," Lambert said. "We don't cry wolf."

In Nebraska, at least one farm home was destroyed in Polk County and more than a dozen were damaged. The storm also traveled through five other counties.

Loren Lind of rural Polk watched a tornado form minutes before it destroyed his house Tuesday.

"We could see this humongous cloud just start to rotate," said Lind, who took shelter at a relative's home. He found little left when he returned.

A tornado packing at least 60 mph winds ripped through a small section of Springfield, Mo., Wednesday, downing trees and power lines and causing minor damage at Southwest Missouri State University.

There were no reports of any serious injuries.

Springfield police reported.