Tornadoes leave trails of destruction across Ohio

Multiple tornadoes have struck the US state of Ohio, causing injuries and extensive damage.

Some five million people have been left without power due to the tornadoes, which began late on Monday night.

Injuries were reported around the cities of Dayton and Celina, but exact numbers were not immediately clear as rescue efforts continued.

Two suspected tornadoes slammed the metro Dayton, Ohio area Monday night, just 30 minutes apart, according to the National Weather Service. A third suspected tornado injured several people in a town about 90 miles north of Dayton.

The first suspected tornado that hit Dayton crossed I-75 north of the city around 11:07 p.m. and carried a "tornado emergency warning," the highest the weather service gives. The second crossed the highway about three miles away.

The search and rescue mission continued through the early Tuesday morning hours.

The weather service will be conducting damage surveys for the next few days in the areas of Celina, New Madison, Laura, Dayton and Laurelville.

Following the tornadoes, the National Weather Service (NWS) said there were more than 70,000 power outages in Ohio, affecting some five million people.

Authorities in Dayton said the local water plants and pump stations were among those that had lost power as they urged people to conserve water.

The calls came as search and rescue operations got under way, with emergency services working to clear the debris left by buildings destroyed by the tornadoes.

Trotwood Mayor Mary McDonald said there were "lines and trees down", as she called on people to stay safe.

She confirmed to local media outlets that several people had been injured as a result of the extreme weather.

The US's Southern Plains and Midwest regions have been hit by several tornadoes, as well as severe rains and flooding in recent days.

Two people were killed in Oklahoma over the weekend when a tornado tore through a hotel and mobile home park in the city of El Reno.