LA CROSSE (AP) -- The mayor of La Crosse has declared a state of emergency after a severe storm hit the western Wisconsin town, tearing roofs from homes and sending emergency responders to search debris for people trapped inside.
Mayor Matt Harter made the declaration Sunday evening, hours after the storm hit.
Also Sunday evening, officials lifted a mandatory evacuation of a 15-block area near Gundersen Lutheran hospital after confirming there wasn't no gas leak as earlier thought.
However, authorities were still combing neighborhoods on the south side of town, searching for injured residents.
Rescue crews were directing displaced residents to a shelter at Central High School, and the local Red Cross chapter had set up a response center at Lincoln Middle School.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)