Tornado damage reported after debris-filled funnel spins through Springfield, Mass.
Posted Jun 1, 2011 05:18:51 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Two tornadoes have touched down in one of the biggest cities in Massachusetts, and a spokesman for the mayor says there has been damage and reports of injuries. Local media is reporting that one person died after a tree fell on top of a vehicle in western Massachusetts.
The first tornado touched down at about 4:30 p.m. in the cities downtown core. Springfield is the third largest city in the state with a population of just over 150,000.
Other communities in western Massachusetts also may have sustained damage from the storm that hit Springfield on Wednesday. Tornado warnings are in effect. Residents have been told to stay indoors.
Baystate Medical Center spokeswoman Jane Albert says the Springfield hospital is treating numerous injured people. She says some have serious force trauma injuries.
Mayor Domenic Sarno’s spokesman Thomas Walsh says there are no reports of deaths. Walsh says he saw a spinning cloud of debris from a window at City Hall when the apparent tornado hit. He later saw uprooted trees downtown.
Utilities are reporting thousands of customers without power.
