Casualties were reported after severe storms swept through central China's Hubei Province on Monday night, local authorities said.

Thunderstorms, powerful winds and tornadoes battered several cities in eastern Hubei between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m., including Huangshi, Huanggang, Ezhou and Xianning, according to the provincial emergency management department.

Rescue operations are underway as authorities search for missing people, rescue those trapped and assess the damage.

In Huanggang, four people have been confirmed dead and one remains missing after the severe weather caused power outages, uprooted trees, and damaged crops, vehicles and shops. In Ezhou, five people have been confirmed dead following tornadoes as of Tuesday morning, with 378 homes damaged.

Weather authorities forecast heavy to torrential rain in parts of eastern Hubei on Tuesday, accompanied by thunderstorms, strong winds and short bursts of heavy rainfall.

Tornadoes are rare in Hubei, with the last one recorded in Wuhan in 2021.