SPRINGFIELD, Mass., June 1 (UPI) -- At least five tornadoes struck Massachusetts Wednesday, killing at least four people, injuring others and causing widespread damage, officials said.
Scott McLeod, spokesman for the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, said two people were killed in Westfield, one in West Springfield and one in Brimfield, The Boston Globe reported.
The state police said 33 people were injured in Springfield, the newspaper said.
WVCB-TV, Boston, said twisters were confirmed in Springfield, Wilbraham, Westfield, Monson and Oxford. Beginning about 4:30 p.m. EDT, other unconfirmed tornadoes were called in by storm spotters and residents in West Springfield, Agawam, Charlton, Millbury, Palmer and Sturbridge, the TV station said.
The Globe reported at least 19 communities were affected, prompting Gov. Deval Patrick to announce he was declaring a state of emergency and mobilizing 1,000 National Guard troops.
"To see the debris falling out of the sky -- it's indescribable. A lot of us were standing there screaming. It is something that you don't see on a daily basis," one Springfield woman told WVCB-TV.
The TV station said some buildings in downtown Springfield were heavily damaged.
Houses were reported destroyed and roofs were reported ripped off in Monson, where injuries also were reported, WVCB said.
About 50,000 customers were without power statewide as of 8 p.m. EDT.
The governor said state Sen. Stephen Brewer of Barre told him "you have to see Monson to believe it, and I think he made a reference to the Wizard of Oz, as well."
