Neighbors in Clayton, Ohio gather belongings after houses were damaged after a tornado touched down overnight near Dayton, Ohio, the United States, May 28, 2019. (REUTERS Photo)

WASHINGTON, May 28 (Xinhua) -- More than 80,000 people in the midwestern U.S. state of Ohio were left without power early Tuesday morning following a massive tornado overnight, officials said.

The tornado tore through Dayton, a large city in the state's southwest and the county seat of the Montgomery County, with several injuries reported.

"We are focused on supporting life saving measures, such as shutting down gas lines or locating people who are trapped by debris," the Montgomery County said on Twitter.

Photos on social media showed strewn trees and severely damaged homes in the area. Local media said the New Life Worship Center just north of Dayton was completely destroyed.

"Our home is destroyed ... I never thought that this kind of thing would ever happen," tweeted Dayton resident Michael Tope in early Tuesday morning.

Some schools have announced closures on Tuesday. Shelters have opened up throughout the area, according to local media.

Much of the U.S. Midwest is bracing for more severe weather on Tuesday. Parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania are at risk again for tornadoes, while other areas including Oklahoma City and parts of the southern state of Texas may again see damaging wind and hail, said an ABC News report.

Similar threats on Wednesday will stretch from Texas all the way to the northeastern state of New Jersey, with tornado threats highest in the southern plains, said the report, adding that more heavy rain could mean more flooding.