Fatalities, multiple injuries in Texas tornado

Tuesday, May 12, 2015  A tornado tore through much of the town of Van, Texas late Sunday evening. Officials said over 40 people were transported to local hospitals for treatment and reportedly two people died during the storm.

The National Weather Service estimated winds over 130 miles per hour (210 kilometres per hour) during the tornado. Late Monday afternoon, debris was still scattered over much of the central portion of the town. An historic building which served as the town's first school suffered significant damage. Other school buildings were also damaged. All classes for students were cancelled for Monday.

Work crews and numerous utility trucks were on site Monday and the city's main street remained closed to thru traffic. A residential area on the town's eastern side was littered with debris and downed trees could be seen along the streets. Fifteen fire departments across five Texas counties responded following the storm, according to the county fire marshal.

Debris hangs on a fence skirting an athletic field in the central part of the town.
Image: Paul Budd.

A trailer stacked with debris from the storm. An historic building (seen in background), located in the central part of the town, shows damage.
Image: Paul Budd.

Workers clean up debris from a large field located near the central part of the town. Utility trucks are seen in the background.
Image: Paul Budd.

Utility trucks seen leaving the town on Monday afternoon.
Image: Paul Budd.

A police roadblock seen along the town's eastern edge on Monday afternoon.
Image: Paul Budd.

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Sources[edit]

• Jeff Wright, Gabby Sims, Ashley Slayton. "NWS confirms EF-3 hit Van area; dozens hospitalized, 2 dead" — KLTV, May 11, 2015
  

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