A powerful tornado swept through a rural community near Dallas, in the U.S. state of Texas, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least five people, including children, and injuring dozens more, media reported on Sunday.
According to a local sheriff who spoke with NBC News, up to 80 individuals were trapped in a gas station that collapsed under the force of the storm. Rescue efforts are ongoing as storm warnings continue to be issued across the central United States.
The devastating tornado was part of a series of severe storms that struck towns across Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas on Saturday night. The violent weather left a trail of destruction, overturning trucks, damaging homes, and causing widespread power outages affecting nearly 250,000 households, as reported by The New York Times.
The central U.S. region frequently experiences tornadoes, but the intensity and impact of this recent outbreak have raised concerns among residents and officials alike. Emergency services are working tirelessly to assist affected communities, and authorities have urged people in the storm’s path to remain vigilant and heed safety warnings.
This tragic event underscores the importance of disaster preparedness and the challenges that extreme weather poses to communities worldwide. As recovery efforts begin, there is a growing dialogue on the need for improved infrastructure and emergency response strategies to mitigate the effects of such natural disasters.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com