Tornadoes Rip Through Massachusetts, Killing At Least 3

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BOSTON, Mass.-- Residents of more than a dozen communities in central and western Massachusetts woke up to widespread destruction Thursday, after damaging tornadoes ripped through the state the day before, killing at least three people, snapping trees and crushing buildings.

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The mayor of the western Massachusetts city of Springfield says as many as four tornadoes might have touched down there yesterday. According to state emergency officials, 20 communities reported tornado touchdowns last night, in a state where damaging tornadoes in heavily populated areas are rare.

Speaking on ABC's "Good Morning America," Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick said the destruction could have been greater.

"When I spoke with the mayor of Springfield yesterday, he told me they had about ten minutes' warning," he said. "When you consider how quickly the tornadoes developed and then touched down, the fact that there wasn't even greater damage and loss of life is a remarkable thing."