Deadly tornado strikes Perryton, Texas, killing at least 3 and injuring dozens amid trail of destruction

03:30

Perryton, Texas, tornado estimated to be at least an EF-2

A meteorologist with the National Weather Service said the deadly twister that struck Perryton, Texas, on Thursday, was at least an EF-2 with wind speeds of at least 111 mph.

PERRYTON, Texas – A powerful and deadly tornado struck the Texas Panhandle city of Perryton on Thursday as a widespread, severe weather outbreak unfolded in the South.

The smell of natural gas surrounded residents as they used their hands to dig through the debris, looking for loved ones and salvaging what they could from the destruction. 

The tornado took a direct shot to the town, leaving 3 people dead and dozens injured, according to the Booker Fire Department, one of the first crews on scene. At least two people were also considered missing after the storm.

Small wounds, cuts, lacerations and a few major head injuries were among the injuries of the 115 patients treated at Ochiltree General Hospital, according to Amie Marrufo, the hospital's spokeswoman.

"We've been very, very thankful for our local counties and hospitals for coming to our aid," she said. "We've been blessed for a lot of good help. Luckily, this small town comes together when we need to."

Governor Greg Abbott also directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to deploy state emergency response resources to meet the town's "urgent life-safety needs."

DRONE VIDEO SHOWS 'SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE' MOMENTS AFTER TORNADO RIPS THROUGH TEXAS TOWN

04:25

'It looks like a bomb had gone off': Texas resident describes violent tornado

Rescue efforts are underway in the town of Perryton, Texas, after a destructive tornado moved through on Thursday. 

The National Weather Service in Amarillo told FOX Weather that the tornado likely was an EF-3 with winds around 140 mph.

The tornado hit about 5 p.m. in the northwestern part of town and traveled southeast to the other side of town, creating a path of destruction in its wake. 

Mobile homes were destroyed, as well as some home and businesses in its path. The local fire department was even hit by the tornado.

"Many lives were affected by this- that's for sure. And but, you know, I've done several tornado surveys in other parts of the country, and it's the same thing. Neighbors are helping neighbors and everybody from surrounding towns are here helping out. And even if it’s offering a bottle of water, to helping use chainsaws and haul away debris- it's what you would expect from folks in the South," said Joanne Culin, a warning coordination meteorologist at the NWS.

"Keep praying for Perryton," the department said in a Facebook post filled with photos showing the destruction. "We were hit hard!"

TEXAS FIRE CHIEF SAVES FALLEN AMERICAN FLAG AMID DEADLY TORNADO'S WRATH: 'IT'S MOMENTS LIKE THIS'

James Myers, a teacher in Perrytown, told FOX Weather 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 up and running in 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 really 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."

03:13

Deadly tornado inflicts heavy damage in North Texas

At least three people were killed and more than 50 others injured after a tornado tore through Perryton, Texas, on Thursday, June 15, 2023.

Myers said the community is trying it’s best to stay afloat.

"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."

The governor issued a disaster declaration for Ochiltree and Cass counties who were most impacted by the storms.

‘It looks like a bomb had gone off’

Drone video provided to FOX Weather from storm chaser Brian Emfinger showed the path of destruction the twister took as it moved through the town.

"There is so much damage and destruction," Emfinger said.

DEADLY TORNADO SWEEPS ACROSS TEXAS DURING MULTIDAY SEVERE WEATHER THREAT

07:49

Drone video shows tornado damage in Texas town

Storm chaser Brian Emfinger is one of the first on the scene after a tornado hit Perryton, Texas. He said mobile home after home was flattened and one building is on fire.

Witnesses in the area reported storm victims being pulled from the rubble, and storm chasers were requesting ambulances respond to the town to help the injured.

"It looks like a bomb had gone off," said Perryton resident Sabrina Devers describing her now-unrecognizable town. "The residential areas, the mobile homes, are just gone. There’s severe devastation." 

11:13

Texas residents emerge from Tornado shelters to assess damage

Storm chaser Brian Emfinger brings us back to Perryton, Texas now that the tornado has cleared. Slowly residents are coming out from their shelters to assess the damage and offer help to those who need it.