Storm kills 3 in central New York state
SMITHFIELD, N.Y. - At least three people were killed Tuesday evening when a severe storm moved through central New York state with heavy winds, toppling trees and causing at least one home to collapse, authorities said.
At least one building was leveled in Smithfield, southeast of Syracuse, and at least four other homes were affected.
The National Weather Service confirmed three fatalities in Smithfield. CBS affiliate WTVH-TV reported that a mother and daughter were among the dead.
"A storm came through here and ripped a couple houses totally apart," Madison County Sheriff Allen Riley told Syracuse.com.
He said deputies and firefighters were sifting through the rubble, looking for any trapped victims.
"Right now we're searching the scene to see if we can locate any people," he said. "I expect we're going to have multiple fatalities here."