NATION : Tornadoes Hit Kansas, Missouri

EMPORIA, Kan. —  A tornado touched down twice, wrecking businesses and homes and blowing tractor-trailers and cars off a highway in this east-central Kansas city. At least 21 people were injured, two seriously, authorities said today.

Another tornado Thursday night destroyed two homes in central Missouri. Severe thunderstorms with high winds demolished 10 small planes, damaged roofs and buildings, uprooted trees and downed power lines in central and northern Missouri. No injuries were reported in the state.

The Emporia tornado tore a half-mile swath of destruction through businesses on the city’s west side and another about a quarter-mile long to the northwest, police said.