(NewsNation) —  Huge, violent tornadoes ripped across the Midwest on Friday night, leveling homes and other buildings, injuring at least five and leaving tens of thousands without power.

“People had warnings of this and that saved lives,” Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said of the few serious injuries.

The tornado warning was issued in the Omaha area on Friday afternoon just as children were due to be released from school. Many schools had students shelter in place until the storm passed. Hours later, buses were still transporting students home.

The National Weather Service issued tornado emergencies from the Omaha area to central Iowa as the storm system moved northeast.

The Omaha Public Power District reported that nearly 10,000 customers were without power in the Omaha area.

Lancaster County, Nebraska authorities say part of a manufacturing facility collapsed, trapping dozens of workers, but injuring only a handful.

BNSF Railway says nobody was hurt when several train cars were derailed by one twister outside Lincoln, Nebraska.

Social media posts revealed leveled buildings and lots of damage in Minden, Iowa, about 100 miles west of Des Moines. Tornado warnings were posted around most of the Des Moines area Friday night.

The forecast for the weekend is more of the same. The Weather Service also issued tornado watches across parts of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. And forecasters warn that large hail and strong wind gusts are possible.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.