Tornadoes, storms kill 11 in U.S. South
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[May 01, 2017]
(Reuters) - Tornadoes ripped through
an East Texas county on Saturday evening, killing at least four people
and injuring dozens, while high winds, falling trees and floods killed
five in neighboring states, according to news reports.
Three tornadoes were confirmed by the U.S. National Weather Service in
Canton, a city about 60 miles (95 km) east of Dallas in Van Zandt
County.
The winds flipped over cars, snapped trees, destroyed houses and left
roads strewn with debris and fallen power lines, according to
photographs and video published by the Dallas Morning News.
"We have at least four fatalities," Canton Mayor Lou Ann Everett said at
a news conference on Sunday, adding that number could rise. "The damage
was extensive in the affected area. It is heartbreaking and upsetting."
Forty-nine people had been treated for injuries, she said.
Earlier a Canton fire department captain said he believed five people
had been killed.
The mayor urged people to stay away from a sprawling flea market known
as First Monday Trade Days, as crews tried to clean up debris.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott sent a search and rescue team to the area.
The storms caused floods in neighboring states, killing a 72-year-old
woman in southwestern Missouri who was washed away in her car, according
to local media reports.
In Arkansas, a woman was killed when a tree fell on her mobile home in
DeWitt, and a 10-year-old girl was killed after flood waters swept her
away in Springdale, ABC News reported. A fire chief responding to the
storm was killed on Sunday in Cleburne County, the county sheriff said
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Kris Ingram, a DJ hired to perform at a prom at The Rustic Barn,
looks through debris for his equipment after the event venue
sustained major tornado damage, in Canton, Texas, April 30, 2017.
REUTERS/Brandon Wade

At least two other people reportedly died in storm-related
incidents, while two children were missing after their mother’s car
was swept from a road by floodwaters in Madison County. As many as
100,000 homes and businesses lost power, and Gov. Asa Hutchinson
declared a state of emergency on Sunday night.
In Mississippi, a person was killed after a tree fell on their house
in Durant, ABC reported. The governors of Missouri and Oklahoma
declared states of emergency.
In the St. Louis area, severe thunderstorms were forecast through
Sunday. Some people were told to evacuate and 33 rescues were
conducted, mostly in the state's central and southwestern regions,
Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens said.
(Editing by Chris Michaud)
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