At least one person was killed and another injured as high winds tore apart structures and tennis-ball-sized hail lashed counties south of Indianapolis, where at least one tornado was likely, the authorities said, writes The New York Times.

An official in Martin County said that one person was found deceased and another was injured, but that responders were searching for victims and clearing trees from the roads. A tornado is suspected, but has not yet been confirmed by meteorologists. “This is out here in the middle of the woods”, Monty Wolf, the director of the county’s emergency response team said by phone. He added, “It’s a mess”.

In Johnson County, at least one tornado was considered likely near the town of New Whiteland, said Chad Swain, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Indianapolis. “We have other possible tornadoes, one in Martin County and another one in Monroe County,” Mr. Swain said, adding that multiple homes had been severely damaged.