VAN ZANDT COUNTY — A tornado packing winds up to 140 mph ripped through Van Zandt County Sunday evening, causing significant damage and killing two people.
Forty-seven people were taken to hospitals near Tyler, officials said during a news conference Monday afternoon.
Emergency Management Coordinator and Van Zandt County Fire Marshal Chuck Allen said two people have been confirmed dead, while three adults are still unaccounted for. That number decreased from 10 between 6:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. as crews searched through the wreckage.
It is estimated more than 100 homes were damaged in the small town 75 miles east of Dallas. Allen said officials hope residents may be allowed into the disaster zone Tuesday.
Late Monday afternoon, Gov. Greg Abbott declared a disaster in Van Zandt, Denton, Bosque, Clay, Eastland, Gaines and Montague counties in the wake of the weekend storms.
Four Van ISD buildings were badly damaged in Sunday's twister. The district said it hopes to consolidate students into the buildings that were not damaged. Allen said it is likely the damaged buildings will be unusable for the remainder of the semester.
The National Weather Service said Monday afternoon survey crews have determined a preliminary rating of EF-3 for Sunday's tornado. Gusts in the suspected tornado reached between 135 and 140 miles per hour.
Rebecca Berkley with East Texas Medical Center in Tyler said in an e-mail Monday that six people arrived at the hospital via ambulance, and two are in critical condition. The four others were treated and released. Their injuries included cuts, scrapes and head lacerations.
Three kids with cuts and scrapes were brought by a private vehicle to the hospital as well, Berkley said. They have since been released.
Allen said the storm moved through the city of Van just before 9 p.m. Sunday, hitting the east side of Van Zandt County. Fifty to 100 homes were destroyed or damaged, and trees and power lines were knocked over. The extent of the damage reached from north of Edom to areas south of Grand Saline.
About 30 percent of the city was hit, Allen said.
A Red Cross shelter is set up at First Baptist Church in Van. So far about 50 people have sought help there, Allen said.
Officials in Van Zandt County say water and non-perishable items are welcome at the Van Zandt Community Center at 310 Chestnut Street.
Clothes and blankets can be brought to First Assembly Of God Church at 409 North Maple Street in Van.
Volunteer fire departments, law enforcement officers and EMS are all on the scene to help with search and recovery efforts.
Oncor and Atmos Energy will be going to affected areas Monday to restore utilities, Allen said.
He added that several oil wells in Van Zandt County were also affected by the storm.
The Van School District has canceled classes for Monday, as several campuses suffered damage.
The National Weather Service is estimating that at least four tornadoes touched down Sunday in Van Zandt, Denton, Grayson and Hamilton/Bosque Counties. Kaufman County damage is under investigation.
