PERRYTON, Severe weather threatens more than 50 million people across large swaths of the United States on Friday, a day after a storm cut a dangerous path across Texas and Florida. PERRYTON, Texas -Tornado
A devastating tornado hit the town of Perryton, Texas on Thursday, killing three people, the fire chief told CNN. The interim CEO of Ochiltree General Hospital told CNN that the storm has taken up to 100 people to the hospital in the town of Panhandle, Texas, with injuries ranging from head bruises to abrasions.
Some people in Florida have also died under trees that fell on their homes, Escambia County officials said.
The county, which includes Pensacola, suffered a flash flood emergency overnight, prompting rescues in high water, the National Weather Service in Mobile, Alabama, reported early Friday morning, citing local rescue workers.
The Escambia County Emergency Management Agency said that West Pensacola, Warrington and Gulf Breeze continue to experience “widespread and significant” flash flooding. “Many roads remain submerged and are infiltrating some buildings,” emergency officials said.
About 150 residents of a Pensacola apartment complex were evacuated to a community center Friday morning through rising water, county officials said.
Warrington, just south of Pensacola, received nearly a foot of rain in just three hours. Radar estimates show up to 16 inches of rain overnight, with more expected on Friday. A flash flood watch is in place for the area until 7pm.
People walk through floodwaters in Pensacola, Fla., on Friday.
People walk through floodwaters in Pensacola, Fla., on Friday.
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Many of the areas that saw severe conditions on Thursday could see more storms again, with the South, Mid-Atlantic Coast and parts of the Southern Plains at a 2 out of 5 severe storm risk. There is
Severe hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes are possible in some high-risk areas, such as Montgomery and Mobile, Alabama, and Little Rock, Arkansas. Jackson, Mississippi. and Tallahassee, Florida.
Portions of the Mid-Atlantic, a vast area that includes South Dakota to Florida and heavily hit Perryton, have been set at a modest level 1/5 risk. Other cities in marginal risk areas include Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Denver, and Jacksonville, Florida, where significant hail and wind damage is expected.
The storm that hit Perryton damaged homes and businesses in the town of about 8,000 residents, including a local fire department, emergency services, and several mobile homes, Fire Chief Paul Dutcher said. He said many of the department’s trucks had been damaged.
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“There was a tornado and it hit us. It came out of nowhere. No sirens, no time to go to a shelter,” said Jamie James, a Perryton resident. He told CNN he had to ride out the storm in his truck.
“There were times when I thought I was going to die,” she says. “Everything went crazy. Garbage cans were flying and hail was hitting the car.”
James’ house still stands, but the building next door has been demolished. She said the tornado devastated the city where she lived for 15 years. “There are a lot of good people in this town. …We look out for each other.”
Electricity in the city has been shut down for safety reasons, according to Excel Energy.
“The power lines that supply power to the city have been damaged and many low-voltage distribution lines in the city have gone down,” said Wes Reeves, a spokesman for Excel Energy.
“Excel Energy officials are working to ensure the safety of Perryton residents and first responders. An estimated recovery time is not yet known,” he added.
As of 3 a.m. in Connecticut, more than 220,000 homes and businesses across Texas were in darkness, according to tracking website Poweroutage.us. More than 130,000 homes were without power in neighboring Louisiana, while blackouts were reported in Oklahoma, Florida and Alabama.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has committed state emergency resources to “response to the immediate life safety needs of Perryton, Texas,” a news release from his office said.
“We stand ready to rapidly provide additional resources needed during the course of this severe weather event,” the governor said in a statement.
Resources from surrounding communities are pouring into the city to provide much-needed assistance.
A tornado hit a residential area in Perryton, Texas, on Thursday, blanketing it with rubble.
A tornado hit a residential area in Perryton, Texas, on Thursday, blanketing it with rubble.
David Erickson/Associated Press
County emergency manager Keith Shaden said officials in Beaver County, Oklahoma, sent firefighters, law enforcement and ambulance crews to assist.
Neighboring city officials in Stinnett, Texas, have also started dispatching staff and emails.
