Image source, Denton Fire Department
- Author, Holly Honderich
- Role, in Washington
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At least 11 people have been killed and dozens injured by tornadoes in the United States, that destroyed multiple buildings and devastated parts of northern Texas.
Two people were confirmed dead in Arkansas, two in Oklahoma and seven in Texas, where Denton and Cooke counties were among the hardest hit.
Cooke County Sheriff Ray Sappington said many more had been injured and the number of casualties was expected to rise.
“We’re still in search and rescue mode right now. I hope we can still find survivors,” he told US media.
“We do have five confirmed, but sadly we think that number is probably going to go up. The devastation is pretty severe.”
The death toll includes two children, ages 2 and 5, the the sheriff told the Associated Press.
Footage showed a petrol station in Cooke County almost completely destroyed, with twisted metal littered over damaged vehicles.
The twisters also overturned lorries, shut a highway near Dallas and left tens of thousands of people without power.
Frank Soltysiak, who lives in a mobile home park in north Texas, said that his home was destroyed within minutes when the storm passed through.
Mr Soltysiak had been in a nearby restaurant when the owner drove by “honking his horn, telling everybody to get out”, he told told CBS News, the BBC’s US partner.
He grabbed his dog Sampson and took shelter in the walk-in refrigerator of the restaurant.
“That was the most secure structure you could have gone to. And I come out, and everything is destroyed,” he said.
“In a matter of two minutes, it’s gone, everything is gone.”
In Oklahoma, two people were killed in Mayes County and six others injured, the local emergency management authority told the BBC.
Arkansas officials said a 26-year-old woman was found dead outside a destroyed home in Olvey, while another death was reported in Benton County. The state also reported multiple people injured.
Police officials in the city of Rogers, Arkansas, said they had rescued several people who were trapped after a tornado downed trees and power lines, and damaged gas supply lines.
The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings for parts of Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma on Saturday.
The Central Plains of the United States are nicknamed Tornado Alley.
Their location and climate mean they are highly prone to some of the most destructive tornadoes on the planet.
May is typically the most active month of the year for severe tornadoes.
Elaine Hadley is a dedicated journalist covering the ever-evolving landscape of U.S. news. With a keen interest in politics and a commitment to uncovering the truth, she provides insightful commentary and in-depth analysis on domestic issues. When not reporting, Elaine enjoys exploring the diverse cultures and landscapes of the United States.
