Tornadoes spotted near Charleston, not confirmed

CHARLESTON, Mo. (AP) -- Several people reported seeing two tornadoes Tuesday in southeast Missouri, but authorities had not confirmed whether the twisters touched down, the Mississippi County sheriff's department said.

No injuries or damages were reported after one tornado was seen in East Prairie and another in New Madrid, Mississippi County sheriff's dispatcher Diane Kelly said.

Both tornadoes were headed east. Witnesses said one touched down in New Madrid County and headed toward neighboring Mississippi County. The tornado in East Prairie moved east across the Mississippi River into Cairo, Ill.

East Prairie has a population of about 3,700 people, while the town of New Madrid has about 3,300 people.

Kelly said a sheriff's deputy also spotted tornado-like rotations, high winds and quarter-size hail near the town of Wyatt in Mississippi County.