Powerful tornado in Texas kills at least three and injures a hundred: "They're rapidly deploying response teams

At least three people died and around a hundred were injured when a powerful tornado ripped through a north Texas town on Thursday, also causing widespread destruction, media reported.

 

Several million Americans in several southern and mid-western states have been placed on extreme weather alert as dangerous storms fueled by high temperatures batter the region, bringing tornadoes, thunderstorms and golf ball-sized hail.

 

Alerts are in effect in parts of Colorado, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Florida.

 

A powerful tornado struck the Texas town of Perryton on Thursday. Drone images show several buildings, including mobile homes destroyed or damaged, trees uprooted and vehicles overturned in this southern town of 8,000 inhabitants.

 

Perryton Fire Chief Paul Dutcher told ABC News that three people died and about 100 others were treated at local hospitals with minor to serious injuries. Some patients were transferred to trauma centers, he said.

 

In a statement, Governor Greg Abbott said that "Texas is rapidly deploying emergency response teams (...) to provide all necessary support and assistance to protect Texans and help those affected by the tornadoes in Perryton," including search and rescue teams, medical personnel and teams deployed to restore power and water.

 

Storm chaser Brian Emfinger, who filmed the tornado with a drone, said the damage was "considerable", particularly in the industrial part of the city.