Tornado rips through Texas town; three deaths, heavy damage reported
At least three people were killed and more than 75 injured Thursday after a tornado struck the town of Perryton, Texas, as rescue crews search for survivors
Complete devastation in Perryton, TX. @ABC7Amarillo @StormSearch7 pic.twitter.com/Bp4csvgcas
— Mitchell Downing (@DowningMitchell) June 16, 2023
The far north Texas town of Perryton was hit Thursday by one or more tornadoes, causing an initial three deaths, as images showed much of the town in rubble from the twister and emergency crews searched for survivors.
Perryton, #Texas #tornado damage. Video by Jaxon Lehnert pic.twitter.com/pJ1DueVm3d
— Kaitlin Wright (@wxkaitlin) June 16, 2023
The north and east sides of the small town suffered significant damage, with mobile homes destroyed and communication towers toppled, according to ABC News, which quoted Perryton Fire Chief Paul Dutcher as saying.
Perryton Fire Chief Paul Dutcher said three people were confirmed dead and between 75 and 100 were treated at local hospitals. Among the areas affected by the tornado was a trailer park that took a direct hit, he said.
The Texas Division of Emergency Management organized a team to arrive from Amarillo, Texas, and is sending an AmBus capable of transporting 10 to 12 patients, Dutcher said.
“We have a lot of patients in the hospital who will need to be transported,” Dutcher said.
At least 30 mobile homes were damaged or destroyed in Perryton, ABC affiliate KVII-TV in Amarillo reported, and firefighters were still rescuing victims.
In the face of the tragedy, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he ordered the Texas Division of Emergency Management to send help, including engineers and road crews.
“We remain ready to quickly provide additional resources as needed during the course of this severe weather event,” Abbott said in a statement .
“I ask all Texans to join Cecilia and me in praying for our fellow Texans who have been affected by this horrific storm. Stay safe, Texas,” he reported.