SPRINGFIELD, Mass. —
The death toll from tornadoes that struck Massachusetts on Wednesday has jumped to four, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency said, according to local reports.
Citing the agency’s Peter Judge, CBS Boston reported that four people had died.
Governor Deval Patrick earlier said it was believed that one person had died when a vehicle overturned as a twister struck West Springfield, in the south-west of the state.
A state of emergency was declared in Massachusetts late Wednesday, after tornadoes barreled through the city of Springfield, leaving numerous casualties, 34,000 homes without power and a trail of damage.
The governor said 19 communities were affected, and 1,000 National Guard troops were deployed to the Springfield area and the town of Munson to assist residents, the Boston Herald reported.