KIRKSVILLE, Mo. (AP) - At least three people are dead after violent storms tore through northern Missouri, damaging or destroying more than 200 buildings.

Authorities today said at least two tornadoes touched down in Adair County, the first landing in Novinger just before six o'clock last night. The second twister touched down minutes later just north of Kirksville, damaging 61 buildings, including a car dealership.

Adair County coroner Brian Noe said a couple living in a modular home near the dealership died when their home "just exploded" from the force of the wind.

To the west, authorities said a 56-year-old Sullivan County woman died when her mobile home was tossed 40 feet by the storm and then collapsed. Six people were treated for storm-related, minor injuries at Northeast Regional Medical Center.

County officials said this morning that the Kirksville-area tornado was a half mile wide and stayed on the ground for about a mile and a half. Of the 61 damaged buildings, 10 homes were destroyed and 15 suffered major damage.

Another 150 buildings in the county also were damaged.

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