Severe weather threatens U.S.

More than a dozen tornadoes reported

OMAHA, NEB.— More than a dozen possible tornadoes were reported Saturday across the U.S. Plains as forecasters warned residents in the path of the still powerful storm system to brace for “life-threatening” weather.

An apparent tornado took down barns, outbuildings and large trees in southeast Nebraska.

In northeast Nebraska, baseballsized hail damaged vehicles, shattered windows and tore siding from houses in and around Petersburg, northwest of Omaha.

A spokeswoman for the Kansas Division of Emergency Management, said officials will monitor the storm into early Sunday.

The most dangerous weather was expected to come later. National Weather Service officials issued a stern warning for residents to prepare for overnight storms that could spawn fast-moving tornadoes. Officials said a large area could be at risk.

“Severe weather is possible again tomorrow from east Texas and Arkansas and up into the Great Lakes,” said Bill Bunting, chief of operations at the Storm Prediction Center.

Emergency officials said an Iowa hospital has been damaged as a band of severe weather beared down on the region.

Tornado sirens sounded across Oklahoma City before dawn Saturday, and at least three possible tornadoes were reported west and north of the city.

It was just the second time in U.S. history that the centre issued a high-risk warning more than 24 hours in advance.

GENE BLEVINS/REUTERS Storm chasers take photos of lightning from a tornadic super cell near Apache City, Okla. Friday. Severe weather was forecast for the weekend.

ORLIN WAGNER/AP A tornado forms and touches down north of Soloman, Kan., Saturday. More than a dozen twisters were reported across the U.S. plains.