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At Least 11 Die in Texas Tornadoes, and 13 in Midwest Flooding

At least 11 people died and dozens were injured in apparently strong tornadoes that swept through southern USA.

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At least 11 people died and dozens were injured in strong tornadoes that swept through the Dallas area and caused substantial damage this weekend, while 13 people died in flooding in the Midwest.

It was the latest in the succession of powerful weather events across the country, from heavy snow in New Mexico, west Texas and the Oklahoma Panhandle, to flooding in parts of the Plains and Midwest. Days of tumultuous weather have led to 43 deaths overall – those in Texas, plus five in Illinois, eight in Missouri and 19 in the Southeast.

The full extent of damage from Saturday’s storms along a nearly 40-mile (64-kilometre) stretch near Dallas came into clear focus. Local officials estimated as many as 1,450 homes were damaged or destroyed.

Heavy rain, wind and falling temperatures hampered cleanup efforts Sunday afternoon. Eight people died, 15 were injured and about 600 structures, mostly single-family homes, were damaged.

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This is a huge impact on our community and we’re all suffering.

Lt. Pedro Barineau, Garland Police

The weather service said an EF-4 tornado, which is the second-most powerful with winds up to more than 200 mph (322 kph), hit the community at about 6:45 pm Saturday.

At least three people who died were found in vehicles, said Barineau, who also noted that some cars appeared to be thrown from the interstate.

At least 11 people died and dozens were injured in apparently strong tornadoes that swept through southern USA.
Damage to an apartment complex is seen after Saturday’s tornado in Garland, Texas. (Photo: AP) 

In the nearby town of Rowlett, City Manager Brian Funderburk said Sunday morning that 23 people were injured, but that there were no deaths and no reports of missing people.

Jenkins said in a statement Sunday night that as many as 600 homes were damaged in Rowlett.

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State troopers blocked off roads, utility crews restored power and people walked around, hushed and dazed.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott made disaster declarations Sunday for four counties — Dallas, Collin, Rockwall and Ellis — and warned that the number of victims could rise.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin declared a state of emergency as there were blizzard conditions and an ice storm warning out west and flood warnings in the east.

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In neighboring Arkansas, officials said it appeared that a tornado touched down in Bearden, tearing roofs off buildings and uprooting trees. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

Farther north, rain caused dangerous driving conditions and flooding in Missouri, where Governor Jay Nixon also declared a state of emergency.

In southern Illinois, authorities said three adults and two children drowned Saturday evening when the vehicle they were riding in was swept away and sank in a rain-swollen creek.

At least 11 people died and dozens were injured in apparently strong tornadoes that swept through southern USA.
A resident walks through his home in Rowlett, Texas the morning after it was struck by a tornado. (Photo: AP) 

The death toll in the Southeast linked to severe weather rose to 19 on Sunday when Alabama authorities found the body of a 22-year-old man whose vehicle was swept away while attempting to cross a bridge; a 5-year-old’s body was recovered for that incident Saturday.

Ten people have died in Mississippi, and six died in Tennessee. One person was killed in Arkansas.

(With inputs from AP)

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Topics:  USA   flooding   tornado 

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