Natural disasters are common across China, particularly in the summer, when some regions experience intense rainfall while others bake in scorching heat.
Multiple areas in the eastern part of Hubei Province in central China experienced "severe convective weather" on Monday, state broadcaster CCTV said.
"Thunderstorms and strong winds swept" through cities including Huangshi and Huanggang, killing eight people that evening, CCTV added.
Tornadoes were reported in some areas and one person is missing.
"The extent of the damage is currently being verified and rescue operations are fully underway," CCTV said.
