READING, Kan. (AP) – Authorities say a tornado that swept through a small eastern Kansas town has killed at least one person and destroyed nearly two dozen homes.

The Kansas Division of Emergency Management reports early Sunday that one person died after the tornado hit Reading (reh-DING), about 50 miles south of Topeka.

A hospital in nearby Emporia says the victim was a man and other people were brought in with injuries. Details haven’t been released.

Department spokeswoman Sharon Watson says it’s unclear whether others were seriously hurt as the powerful storms rolled across northeast Kansas late Saturday.

Watson says a shelter is being set up at an elementary school in Reading, where 20 homes were destroyed. Another 200 homes in and around the town were damaged.

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Information from: The Topeka Capital-Journal,
http://www.cjonline.com

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A severe storm spawning tornado warnings and baseball sized hail hit Topeka this evening.

The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Saline County until 11:00 PM.

UPDATE: Topeka Police have confirmed that a tornado touched down near 23rd and Fairlawn at 6:35.