Tornadoes Sweep Across Oklahoma, Nebraska

Emergency crews and residents began cleaning up Wednesday after a series of tornadoes tore across the Plains, severely damaging more than 100 homes and leaving tons of debris.

Five people, including an infant, were treated for injuries from flying glass and debris.

Most of the damaged homes were in Cordell, a town of 3,000 in western Oklahoma, where a twister leveled houses, toppled power lines and tossed cars like toys in its three-mile path through town Tuesday evening. Six tornadoes also caused damage in central Nebraska.

About 300 houses--about a third of Cordell--were still without power Wednesday, as people returned home, Mayor Phil Kliewer said. Public schools were closed and residents were told to boil drinking water in case supplies were contaminated.

Additionally, 189 Oklahoma National Guard troops were deployed to assist local authorities.

Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating issued a state disaster declaration after touring the area Wednesday. No damage estimates were available.

“To see some of the devastation and some of the houses that just disappeared, it surprised me that we haven’t had serious injuries, much less fatalities,” said Robert Parsons, sheriff’s deputy in Oklahoma’s Washita County. “I’m just amazed at it.”

City Administrator Bob Lambert, whose own home was badly damaged, said he believes the sirens that sounded moments before the tornado hit town saved many lives.