Officials said six people were killed when a tornado hit central Iowa on Saturday. The storm damaged homes and brought down power lines.

Madison County emergency officials said four others were hurt and one was killed in the tornado that struck southwest of Des Moines, Iowa at around 4:30 pm. Both children and adults were killed in the tornado that struck southwest of Des Moines at about 4:30 p.m.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has issued a disaster declaration for the County, which permits state resources to aid in recovery and response.

Reynolds stated, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who was affected by today’s deadly storms in Iowa.” “Our hearts ache during this time, but I know Iowans will step up and come together to help in this time of need—they already are.”

Diogenes Ayala from Madison County Emergency Management said the tornado damaged 25-30 homes.

He said, “This is one of the most horrific things anyone’s ever seen.”

Officials couldn’t name the people who were killed, but stated that they weren’t in the exact same spot.

Wendy Burkett, a Des Moines Register reporter, said she had been home with two of her daughters Saturday afternoon, when Tony Burkett, her husband called and told her there was a tornado warning.

Burkett claimed that she went outside with him and looked down the driveway towards the southwest. The tornado was there, Burkett said. She said, “The tornado.” She said, “There were debris all around it and it was becoming louder and more louder.”

The tornado came through in seconds and they ran to get their girls. They clung tightly to one another as a window broke and water started spitting from the pipes.

Within a matter of minutes, the tornado had passed and the family was safe. However, their home was utterly destroyed by the debris, not to mention the trees.

Des Moines National Weather Service tweeted late Saturday that it believed the storm was an EF-3 tornado capable of causing significant damage according to the Enhanced Fujita scale. According to the National Weather Service, weather service personnel would examine damage and assess any potential ratings.

From Saturday afternoon to Saturday night, thunderstorms that produced tornadoes swept through Iowa. Storms also caused damage in Norwalk (a suburb of Des Moines), and other parts of eastern Iowa.

Officials said that many homes had been damaged and roads blocked due to downed wires. Tree branches also were destroyed by strong winds. Images shared on social media show fallen trees and debris, as well as roofs and cars damaged by the storm. Around 10,000 people were affected by power outages in Des Moines.