Multiple tornadoes cause widespread damage in Oklahoma City area

Several tornadoes have caused significant damage across the Oklahoma City area in the United States, as wild weather brings high winds and large hail stones.

Local television stations reported a large wedge tornado, which could be an EF4, the second most dangerous form of tornado, was threatening Oklahoma City.

Several other twisters have also ranged across the state, causing damage around the towns of Newcastle and Amber.

An 18-wheel truck was reportedly overturned and cars were damaged when an earlier twister made landfall, according to KFOR news.

Tornadoes have been reported in Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma, with severe weather warnings in place across those states and Texas.

Hailstones the size of "hen eggs" have been reported in the small town of Verden, south-west of Oklahoma City.

The region around Oklahoma City is well known as a tornado hotspot. 

In 2013 a massive storm killed 24 people and injured more than 400 after levelling several buildings and a school.