Week of severe weather claims 43 lives nationwide

The Texas Department of Transportation says, though, that many roads across West Texas and the Panhandle remain closed with snow-packed and icy conditions.

Tornadoes swept through the Dallas area after dark on Saturday evening causing significant damage while a blizzard was blanketing parts of New Mexico and West Texas with snow, the latest in the nation’s freakish winter weather pattern that sent temperatures plunging to near zero wind chill in the western Plains even as numerous record highs are forecast for the eastern U.S.

Eight people were killed in Garland, which was hit by what Ari Sarsalari, a meteorologist for The Weather Channel, called “a violent tornado with a long path”.

Three other deaths were reported in the Dallas metropolitan area, the United States’ fourth most populous with about 7 million residents.

Northern Mississippi residents are still cleaning up from a tornado that struck Wednesday and killed 10 people in the state.

The US National Weather Service has issued severe weather advisories for large parts of the country, including a blizzard warning for parts of New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and a flash flood watch stretching from Texas to Indiana.

In neighboring IL, three adults and two children drowned when creek waters swept their vehicle off a bridge in Marion County, the AP reported.

Statewide, more than 6,800 power customers lacked electricity at 6 a.m. Monday.

The tornadoes in Texas follow fierce storms that killed at least 17 people in Mississippi, Arkansas and Tennessee before Christmas.

“Texas is doing everything we can to help you piece your lives back together and deal with the challenges you are facing right now”, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said today, adding the state is still facing rain and the possibility for more tornadoes.

With more severe weather expected across the central United States, forecasters are warning of airport delays and flooded roads as travelers return home after the Christmas holiday.

Tornado watches and warnings have been issued for parts of Texas as well as Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Mississippi. Power was out throughout much of the city Saturday night, Rowlett Mayor Todd Gottel said.

Damage of vehicles and houses are seen after Saturday’s tornado spread out in Rowlett, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015.

Three deaths were reported in Collin County, said Lt. Chris Harvey, a spokesman for the sheriff’s office.

To the southeast, the Gulf Coast states were bracing on Monday for a fresh round of gusty thunderstorms and possible tornadoes just days after torrential rain across the region led to flash floods that have been blamed for almost 20 deaths.

Peak tornado season in the South is in the spring, but such storms can happen at any time.

The family’s vehicle was overcome with flood water and ended up in a ditch near Tyler’s Pinson home. Pat McMillian said that his family took shelter in a bathroom as the tornado ripped his neighborhood apart.

A statement on the Garland city website said National Weather Service meteorologists found the damage consistent with a category four tornado on the Enhanced Fujita scale.

Parts of New Mexico, where a state-wide emergency has been declared, are expecting up to 2ft (60cm) of snow.

Some parts of New Mexico have already seen more than 40cm of snow.