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Storms and tornadoes in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas leave 11 dead and dozens injured

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By The opinion

May 26, 2024, 16:31 PM EDT

At least 11 people died between Saturday and Sunday in the states of Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas due to strong storms and tornadoes, according to local authorities from different counties.

The Cooke County police detailed today to the local press that they found three bodies of a family inside a house in the rural town of Valley View (Texas) near Oklahoma, including two children.

“We have five confirmed (fatal victims), but unfortunately we think that number is probably going to go up,” said Cooke Police Chief Ray Sappington.

Storms and tornadoes in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas leave 11 dead and dozens injured
Man in Texas observes the destruction of his home.
Credit: Julio Cortez | AP

Authorities also reported that dozens of homes were destroyed. and thousands of citizens are without electricity supply due to adverse weather conditions.

Forecasters had warned of 65 kilometer per hour tornadoes and strong thunderstorms in the area for Saturday night, when a tornado north of Dallas also caused road closures, damage to gas stations where drivers were sheltering and even overturned various heavy vehicles.

The injured, estimated at more than 80 as a result of this tornado, even had to be transported by air to try to avoid the damage caused to the surrounding roads and a shelter was set up in the municipality of Sander.

Storms and tornadoes in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas leave 11 dead and dozens injured
Woman tries to rescue what little was left of her belongings, including her Virgin of Guadalupe.
Credit: Julio Cortez | AP

Furthermore, this Saturday night there will also be issued a storm warning from the National Weather Service offices in Norman and Tulsalocated in the state of Oklahoma, specifying that the situation was very volatile and could bring tornadoes, hail or dangerous winds.

Separately, at least two people died in Arkansas, including a 26-year-old woman, according to the Boone County Office of Emergency Management.

Various areas of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri also received tornado warnings from the National Weather Service and about 300,000 people in those states, including Texas, are without power now, according to Poweroutage.us.

With information from EFE.

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