At least one person has died and many have been injured as two tornados struck 19 communities in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Governor Deval Patrick has declared a state of emergency in view of the severe weather that has caused extensive damage in the state.

The governor said while at least one fatality has been reported, many have been injured as extreme weather system caused twisters on Wednesday evening.

We don’t know the extent of injuries yet, Patrick said. The governor said 1,000-stong National Guard contingent has been deployed to carry out search and rescue operations.

The damage came amid a wave of heavy thunderstorms that moved through the Northeast on Wednesday afternoon, CNN reported.

According to meteorologists tornadoes started in Westfield and continued to neighboring West Springfield.

Storm