Three dead as severe storms damage homes and businesses across central US states

People walk through debris from severe storms in Lakeview, Ohio (Joshua A Bickel/AP)

Severe storms with probable tornadoes have torn through several central US states, damaging homes and businesses and killing at least three people, with more bodies likely to be discovered, authorities said.

As the sun rose on Friday, officials scrambled to assess the extent of the destruction with the power out.