Nine killed by tornadoes in central US

At least nine people have been killed and dozens injured by tornadoes in the United States, that destroyed multiple buildings and devastated parts of northern Texas, reports BBC.

Two people were confirmed dead in Arkansas, two in Oklahoma and five in Texas, where Denton and Cooke counties were among the hardest hit.

Cooke County Sheriff Ray Sappington said many more had been injured and the number of casualties was expected to rise.

"We're still in search and rescue mode right now. I hope we can still find survivors," he told US media.

"We do have five confirmed, but sadly we think that number is probably going to go up. The devastation is pretty severe."

The Central Plains of the United States are nicknamed Tornado Alley.

Their location and climate mean they are highly prone to some of the most destructive tornadoes on the planet.

May is typically the most active month of the year for severe tornadoes.

Source: BBC.