Search and Rescue Teams Combing Western Mass.

(NECN) - Peter Judge of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency says that crews are out assessing damage in the 19 communities affected by Wednesday's tornadoes.

While the number of dead has not changed, about 200 people have gone to area hospitals with storm-related injuries of various kinds, Judge said.

In terms of severity, Judge said the next most destructive weather event in Massachusetts probably was in 1953, when a tornado killed 90 people in Worcester, Mass., and caused millions of dollars in damage.

Among the tasks now before him, Judge said that keeping people safe in the aftermath of the storm is paramount.

"We 're asking folks to stay off the roads," Judge said, advising motorists to allow emergency crews to clear highways of trees and other debris and utility company to make repairs to downed power lines.

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