At least 4 dead, dozens injured after tornadoes rip through Texas and Florida - ABC News
Tornadoes tore through parts of the United States on Thursday night, killing at least four people and injuring dozens of others, officials said.
Three of the deaths occurred in Perryton, Texas, where a tornado destroyed homes and communication towers. The victims were identified as Becky Randall, a woman in her 60s who was found in a print shop; Cindy Bransgrove, a woman also in her 60s who was found in a food bank; and Matthew Ramirez, an 11-year-old boy who was found in a trailer park, according to the Ochiltree County Sheriff Terry Bouchard.
Another 56 people in Perryton were injured and one person – identified as 64-year-old Ruben Villegas – is missing, Bouchard said.
Meanwhile, one person died in Pensacola, Florida, after a tree fell on their home during a tornado, according to the Escambia County Fire Rescue.
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[Perryton Fire Chief Paul Dutcher] told ABC News on Thursday that the number of injured may be around 100 people. The injuries range from minor to severe and multiple patients have be transferred to trauma centers.
There is currently no power to Perryton, according to Xcel Energy, an electric utility and natural gas delivery company.
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Ochiltree General Hospital, the area hospital for Perryton, is currently without power, an official said on Thursday.
Debbie Beck, chief financial officer of Ochiltree General Hospital, told ABC News 50 to 100 patients were treated for tornado-related injuries.
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Southeastern Colorado to southwestern Kansas are also bracing for rough weather, with a severe thunderstorm watch issued. Residents in the region are told to expect dangerous winds up to 80 mph, hail up to 4 inches in diameter and possible tornadoes.
More storms are expected Friday from Colorado to the Gulf Coast, with damaging winds and hail the main threat. Severe storms are also possible Friday afternoon and evening from Virginia to New Jersey.
Meanwhile, dangerous, triple-digit heat is baking the South. Record-high temperatures are possible over the next few days in Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and New Orleans.
ABC News
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Locations: Perryton, TX Pensacola, FL Houston, TX San Antonio, TX Dallas, TX New Orleans, LA Florida Texas Colorado Kansas Gulf Coast Virginia New Jersey Louisiana
Organizations: Escambia County Fire Rescue Xcel Energy Ochiltree General Hospital
People: Terry Bouchard Paul Dutcher Debbie Beck