Strong storms cross Plains; 1 tornado reported

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Strong thunderstorms are bringing rain and hail from the southwestern U.S. and Plains states to the upper Midwest, and at least one tornado has been reported.

The Johnson County Sheriff's Office in southeastern Iowa says that a tornado was spotted near the town of Lone Tree about 6 p.m. Sunday but that there are no injuries or damage.

The National Weather Service has issued tornado watches until midnight for a large portion of central and northeastern Texas and in areas in southeastern Oklahoma, southwestern Arkansas and northwestern Louisiana. A tornado watch is in effect until 8 p.m. CDT in eastern Oklahoma.

Weather service meteorologist Julie Lesko in Little Rock, Ark., says the atmosphere is more stable during the overnight hours but tornadic activity can't be ruled out.