PARKERSBURG, Iowa, May 26 (UPI) -- Iowa Gov. Chet Culver has declared three north central counties disaster areas after tornadoes moved through the region, killing seven people.
In Minnesota Sunday, officials blamed tornado activity for the death of a toddler and the injuries of nine other people, CNN reported.
In Iowa, officials said a tornado touched down in Parkersburg and killed five people before moving 10 miles to New Hartford, where two others died, officials said Monday. Other tornadoes Sunday were spotted near Dunkerton, causing damage and flinging debris.
"Early reports indicate that these communities have suffered severe and widespread damage, and I plan to visit the region very soon to offer my support to those affected," Culver said in a statement.
The fatal tornado in Minnesota touched down in a northern suburb of Minneapolis-St. Paul, destroying 50 homes and damaging another 150 structures, Hugo City Manager Mike Ericson told CNN.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said he and local officials would tour the affected area.
Dangerous thunderstorms were expected in a line from the eastern Great Lakes to Kansas Monday, as well as Texas, Accuweather.com said. Tornadoes threatened the southern Plains states.
