Sheets and insulation from houses are said to have blown several kilometers away in the region of North Rhine-Westphalia.
The German weather service confirmed on Saturday that there were three tornadoes, reports Reuters.
"Many trees are still on destroyed cars," police said in a statement, according to Deutsche Welle.
A death has been reported from the small town of Wittgert, where a 38-year-old man is said to have received an electric shock when he went down into a flooded basement.
The man is said to have fallen and hit his head and died on the spot from his injuries, according to the police.
In the town of Paderborn, which was hit hardest, ten people are said to be seriously injured.
A woman is being cared for for life-threatening injuries.
In total, more than 50 people have been injured as a result of the storm.
Gale up to 130 km / h
In the town of Lippstadt, more than 100 people were trapped in an enclosed outdoor pool when several trees blocked the exit.
A Catholic church was also destroyed when the tower of St.
Clemens in Hellinghausen blew down in pieces all over the cemetery.
The German meteorologist service issued a storm warning on Friday, where they predicted gales of up to 130 km / h in some places.
Police in Lippstadt and Paderborn warn on Saturday of falling branches and roof tiles in certain districts and residents in the affected regions are urged to be careful and stay in their homes for safety reasons.