At least four are dead and dozens more injured after multiple tornadoes swept though parts of eastern Texas on Saturday night, Canton mayor Lou Ann Everett confirmed.
The National Weather Service confirmed four tornadoes touched down near the small town of Canton, approximately 60 miles (96 kilometers) east of Dallas. The NWS reported that preliminary surveys show two EF-3 and two EF-0 tornadoes, but surveys will continue into Monday.
At least 4 confirmed tornadoes. Two EF-3 and two EF-0. All ratings are preliminary. Surveys will continue tomorrow. #txwx #etxwx pic.twitter.com/YKN9KHZ8bi
— NWS Fort Worth (@NWSFortWorth) April 30, 2017
Everett says two people are still unaccounted for. Search efforts are continuing throughout Sunday to find more survivors.
#UPDATE: Still 4 confirmed fatalities in Van Zandt County and Canton, TX tornadoes. 2 still unaccounted for. LIVE: https://t.co/7wslq9jOwi pic.twitter.com/3G0V9mBg0h
— 1080 KRLD (@KRLD) April 30, 2017
At least 50 patients were transported to three different hospitals, according to the East Texas Medical Center. ETMC spokeswoman Rebecca Berkley confirmed Sunday morning that six people remained hospitalized, with two of those people in critical condition.
Van Zandt County, which includes the city of Canton, has been declared a disaster zone.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott traveled to Canton Sunday afternoon, where he held a press conference with local officials. Abbott said the top priority for officials is to search more than 5,000 homes for victims.
Join me in thanking the Texas Task Force 2 crew doing search & rescue missions after the Canton tornado. #txlege pic.twitter.com/YxT3vhdfRu
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 30, 2017
The storm system has moved to the east, threatening parts of Mississippi and Alabama on Sunday.
.@NWSFortWorth confirms 3 tornadoes touched down in Eustace, Caney City & Canton Saturday. https://t.co/ZmGj561AZ8 #NBCDFWStorms pic.twitter.com/khM4V3G1f0
— NBCDFW Weather (@NBCDFWWeather) April 30, 2017
Images from our Big S Radar last evening showing the classic hook echo and debris ball as the tornado crossed I-20 near Canton. #dfwwx pic.twitter.com/dcyQU9PQDi
— Rick Mitchell (@RickMitchellWX) April 30, 2017
NEW: devastating wedge tornado from close range just east of #Canton, TX that has caused extensive damage along its path @breakingweather pic.twitter.com/U6zvQDmZ2p
— Reed Timmer (@ReedTimmerAccu) April 30, 2017
RAW video: Home devastated in Van Zandt County. UPDATES: https://t.co/v1QDw3j1o8 pic.twitter.com/VfKUuDOLMj
— WFAA (@wfaa) April 30, 2017
