Deadly Tornadoes Strike Dallas Area

In the case of all five deaths reported in Garland, people were blown off the road, presumably after getting caught in the storm while driving.

The National Weather Service issued tornado watches for 49 Texas counties Saturday afternoon, including Dallas County.

The Dallas Morning News also reported that about two square miles to the southwest and northeast of the interstate and the turnpike was devastated by a tornado around 6:45 p.m. About 600 buildings were reported to be damaged or leveled. We’ve got all the fire departments out. I don’t have a number and I don’t have the seriousness of those injuries.

Forecasters predict rain throughout much of Arkansas today, with periods of heavy rainfall.

Officials in Collin County confirmed three deaths from the storms – including two at a Copeville gas station that was destroyed in the storms, according to NBC Dallas-Fort Worth.

Local police officer Joe Harn said the four were killed in accidents that occurred during a massive storm but it’s unclear if all four were in the same vehicle or how they died.

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency spokesman Greg Flynn said 56 injuries were reported, and preliminary damage estimates show 241 homes were destroyed or severely damaged. Officials believe the deaths were related to vehicles struck by a tornado. In addition, flooding left 50 homes uninhabitable and closed 40 roads in Monroe County, which got 10 to 12 inches (about 25 to 30 cm) of rain, he said.

Duffey said that given the blizzard conditions expected for Saturday, anyone hoping to travel in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas “should try to get going as soon as you can” to beat the storm. I think I am most amazed at the outpouring of affection and willingness to help.

Search and rescue efforts continued Sunday in the damaged areas east and northeast of Dallas.

The National Service says there was a tornado south of Dallas.

CBS Dallas-Fort Worth reports that residents have been on high alert as tornado warnings, and at least one tornado that touched down, moved through the Dallas area.

The storms across the South have been unusually powerful for winter.

At least 52,000 Oncor electricity customers were without power across Texas at one point Saturday evening, with 30,000 of those in Dallas County alone.

We are following developing news in the Dallas, Texas area this Sunday morning.

Travellers at Dallas Love Field airport were warned to stay away from windows, and videos broadcast on Twitter showed theatergoers being evacuated from an AMC movie complex at NorthPark Center, a prominent mall.

The National Weather Service confirmed tornadoes hit multiple cities in the greater Dallas area on Saturday evening, and there were reports of widespread damage and flooding.