Four Dead, Dozens Injured following East Texas Tornadoes

EAST TEXAS(AP) — According to a National Weather Service survey team, a preliminary report shows an EF-3 or EF-4 tornado hit the Canton area. The area the NWS team was surveying is located southwest of Canton. The NWS previously confirmed four tornadoes touched down during Saturday’s storms. The tornadoes were spotted in Caney City, Canton, Grand Saline and Eustace. Authorities in East Texas said at least four people have been killed as a series of tornadoes pummeled parts of three counties east of Dallas. They caution that the death toll, originally put at five, could rise again as search teams go through the extensive wreckage. Canton Mayor Lou Ann Everett says multiple tornadoes that began late Saturday afternoon left “heartbreaking and upsetting” destruction 35 miles long and 15 miles wide.

Search teams and rescue workers were dealing with gas leaks and downed power lines and trees, said Judge Don Kirkpatrick, the county’s chief executive. Fences also had been blown over, meaning livestock in the farming and ranching area were roaming free. “It’s a very dangerous situation out there,” Kirkpatrick said.

Oncor, the electric utility that serves the area, reported more than 4,500 customers were without power late Sunday morning. Everett said about 30 crews from around Texas were arriving to restore electricity. Five major transmission towers were toppled and some were difficult to reach. Cellphone service was described as “spotty.”

ETMC Regional Health Care Systems spokeswoman Rebecca Berkley says 56 people have been treated at three area hospitals. Six remain hospitalized Sunday morning and two of those are in critical condition.

Areas within and surrounding the cities of Canton, Eustace and Emory received were hit hard. Homes have been destroyed and widespread power outages have been reported. Local officials have issued a disaster declaration for Van Zandt County. Canton is known throughout Texas and neighboring states for its First Monday Trading Days, a monthly flea market that draws thousands of people and goes back 150 years. Everett said the grounds of the market were spared from serious damage, although power lines and trees were down.

A car dealership off I-20 also received major damage from one of the tornadoes.

The American Red Cross is providing assistance to families in need who have been affected by the tornadoes.