Three people have been confirmed dead and over 50 others injured after a destructive tornado ravaged the Texas Panhandle town of Perryton on Thursday evening,
The US National Weather Service confirmed the tornado on the ground north of the city moving eastward at 20 miles per hour at 5:13 p.m. CDT and gave it a preliminary rating of EF2 strength on Friday evening.
Throughout the town of approximately 9,000 residents, between 150 and 200 homes were damaged by the violent tornado. Several buildings and vehicles and other property were also partially collapsed, including one mobile home park. In addition, over 30 trailers were destroyed by the storm.
Search and rescue efforts began immediately after the destructive storm ended, and at least three fatalities and over 50 injuries were confirmed by the Booker Fire Department.
An American Red Cross shelter is now open for affected residents. Community Education Consultant at Ochiltree General Hospital, Amie Marrufo, said that 115 patients came into the hospital with injuries ranging from minor lacerations to head injuries, broken bones and collapsed lungs. Some individuals were released from the hospital on Friday morning, while at least 40 casualties were sent to neighboring hospitals for further care.
Marrufo said anyone experiencing health concerns following the tornado should come to the hospital. The community has rallied together to support those affected, and emergency response teams continue to work hard to help those in need.
The governor of Texas has also called for emergency response resources.
James Myers, a teacher in Perryton, told the press that the local high school was turned into an emergency shelter after the storm. Water and food are available at the school and a donation drop-off is currently in operation at Amarillo.
Myers said the damages are the worst on the northeast side of town.
“The tornado went right down our Main Street,” Myers said. “It rattled off very roughly on some neighborhoods and on some businesses down there. On the Northeast side of town, there are businesses with everything destroyed.”
According to Myers, the community is trying its best to stay afloat amid the unprecedented disaster.
“We’re a local farmers community and yesterday was amazing to see farmers getting in their vehicles and driving down Main (street) and picking up debris,” Myers said. “You saw people just flooding into town. This little town of 9,000 felt like a metropolitan area with all of the love we had.”
