Global Courant
A devastating tornado swept through Perryton, Texas Thursday night, leaving at least three dead, two missing and 56 injured, according to The Ochiltree County Sherriff’s Office.
Perryton fire chief Paul Dutcher said the number of injured could be around 100. Injuries range from minor to severe, and several patients have been transferred to trauma centers, Dutcher said.
The north and east sides of the town saw significant damage, with trailers destroyed and communications towers downed, Dutcher told ABC News. One death has been confirmed and more than 75 people were treated at the local hospital, he said.
Storm damage seen in Perryton, Texas, June 15, 2023.
Sabrina Devers/Facebook
Storm damage seen in Perryton, Texas, June 15, 2023
Sabrina Devers/Facebook
Dutcher said the confirmed death is from a trailer and multiple agencies are on scene responding to the tornado.
There is currently no power to Perryton, Xcel Energy told ABC News.
“Our crews come to the scene and help remove lines from cars and roads. We are patrolling the transmission feeds to the city and also assessing potential damage to the main substation in the city. One of the three main transmission feeds to the city was apparently undamaged, but we have de-energized it for safety reasons,” Xcel Energy said in a statement.
Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to deploy state emergency resources to address urgent life safety needs in Perryton.
“The State of Texas is rapidly deploying critical emergency resources to provide all necessary support and assistance to protect Texans and help those affected by tornadoes in Perryton,” Abbott said in a statement. “I encourage all Texans to heed guidance from state and local officials and take all necessary precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones. We remain ready to promptly provide any additional resources needed over the course of this storm.”
Ochiltree General Hospital, the area hospital, is currently without power, an official said Thursday evening.
Debbie Beck, CFO of Ochiltree General Hospital, confirmed to ABC News that they have treated 50 to 100 patients related to tornado injuries.
Beck said the hospital lost power and they don’t have an exact number of patients from the tornado because they do the paperwork manually. According to Beck, no victims died in the hospital and some patients were transferred to Northwest Texas Hospital.
Seven tornadoes have been reported in Texas, Oklahoma and Michigan as of Thursday night.
Severe thunderstorms, Thursday.
ABC news
Severe thunderstorm watches have been issued in Brunswick, Georgia; Jacksonville, Florida; eastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi.
Georgia and Alabama are also being hit by heavy rainfall and flooding. More than 7 inches of rain has hit Albany, Georgia, in the past 24 hours.
Warnings for serious threats.
ABC news
This comes after Wednesday storms brought massive hail and strong winds to Mississippi and at least 10 tornadoes to Texas, Alabama and Georgia.
On June 14, 2023, a tornado forms in Blakely, Georgia. Officials from Texas to Georgia are reporting damaging winds and possible tornadoes as a powerful storm system sweeps across the South.
Rand McDonald via AP
The plains are also gearing up for rough weather, with a severe thunderstorm warning in parts of southeastern Colorado and southwestern Kansas. Residents of the region should expect dangerous winds of up to 80 mph, hail up to 4 inches in diameter and possible tornadoes.
More storms are expected from Colorado to the Gulf Coast on Friday, with damaging winds and hail being the main threat. Severe storms are also possible Friday afternoon and evening from Virginia to New Jersey.
Severe storms, Friday.
ABC news
Meanwhile, the South is baking through dangerous triple-digit heat. Record high temperatures are possible in Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and New Orleans in the coming days.
