After strong tornados ripped through the small panhandle town of Perryton, Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott has deployed resources to assist the hurting community.
Reportedly, three people were killed and anywhere from 75 to 100 were injured. A total of three different twisters struck the town.
According to Perryton Fire Chief Paul Dutcher, at least one of the fatalities came when a tornado tore through a mobile home park, per ABC 7 News.
Many structures were destroyed throughout the town, and drone footage revealed the sweeping devastation.
Perryton, #Texas #TORNADO Damage – Drone video. #TXwx pic.twitter.com/KlOW6ZbqP2
— Chicago & Midwest Storm Chasers (@ChicagoMWeather) June 16, 2023
Shortly after the tornados struck the town of roughly 9,000, Gov. Abbott issued an order to the Texas Division of Emergency Management to respond to the tragedy with additional emergency resources.
Abbott explained in a statement received by The Dallas Express, “The State of Texas is swiftly deploying critical emergency response resources to provide all necessary support and assistance to protect Texans and help those impacted by tornadoes in Perryton.”
“I encourage all Texans to heed the guidance of state and local officials and to take all necessary precautions to protect yourselves and your loved ones,” he said. “We remain ready to quickly provide any additional resources needed over the course of this severe weather event.”
“I ask all Texans to join Cecilia and me in praying for our fellow Texans who have been impacted by this horrific storm. Stay safe, Texas,” the governor concluded.
To help respond to the damage, resources from the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas Department of State Health Services, Urban Search and Rescue teams, Game Wardens from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality crews, and Texas Highway Patrol.
The National Weather Service in Amarillo reacted to the tornado, saying, “Our thoughts are with those in Perryton, TX tonight. A devastating tornado changed many lives there this evening and many homes and businesses [were] destroyed.”
“We are thinking about you all and praying for you.”
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