5:45 p.m. update There are reports of a tornado touching down in Monson and Wilbraham; rescue personnel continue to respond to affected areas.

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6 p.m. update Another storm cell is heading toward Springfield. Emergency personnel are warning residents to seek shelter. A tornado watch remains in effect until 8 p.m.

A tornado hit West Springfield and moved into Springfield at about 4:45 on Wednesday afternoon.

The funnel cloud damaged a house on Route 5 in West Springfield, and then slammed into the South End of Springfield, affecting the Main and Central streets area.

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Emergency personnel, state and local police responded to the area. There were injuries reported and people trapped in houses and buildings.

Emergency officials asked that people stay in their houses and and don't travel to the tornado area because of power lines, gas leaks and the need for emergency vehicles to enter and exit the area.

The path of the tornado seemed to head through the East Forest Park area toward east Longmeadow.

Police reported an overturned vehicle near the Milton Bradley School on Maple Street with people trapped inside.

A command post has been set up at 50 Maple St.

At 4:50 p.m., Springfield resident Tracy Kittrell, 42, said that trees are down everywhere in the South End, where she is working at Dillon's Package Store.