Storms obliterate homes, a truck stop and more across the central US as police report the dead include two children, ages two and five

Powerful storms killed at least 15 people and left a wide trail of destruction Sunday across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after obliterating homes and destroying a truck stop where drivers took shelter during the latest deadly weather to strike the central US.

Seven deaths were reported in Cooke County, Texas, near the Oklahoma border, where a tornado Saturday night plowed through a rural area near a mobile home park, officials said. Storms also caused damage in Oklahoma, where guests at an outdoor wedding were injured. Tens of thousands of residents were without power across the region.

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© Photograph: Julio Cortez/AP

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© Photograph: Julio Cortez/AP

Obliterated homes, splintered trees and crumpled cars were seen in the path of the twister about 25 miles from Greenfield

Five people died and at least 35 were hurt as powerful tornadoes ripped through Iowa Tuesday, with one carving a path of destruction through the town of Greenfield, officials said.

The Iowa department of public safety said Wednesday that four people had been killed in the Greenfield area. Officials did not release the names of those killed in the storm because they were still notifying relatives.

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© Photograph: Charlie Neibergall/AP

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© Photograph: Charlie Neibergall/AP

The damage was unusual, experts say, because turbines are built to withstand extreme weather. Iowa is a wind powerhouse, with thousands of turbines.

© Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press

Scientists say storms like those that battered Houston could become more intense as the planet warms, though pinning down trends is still challenging.

© David J. Phillip/Associated Press

The number of tornadoes so far in the United States this year is just above average. But their distribution is changing.

© Ronald W. Erdrich/The Abilene Reporter-News, via Associated Press