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23 injured after tornado hits Texas as storms sweep across central U.S.
Nearly two dozen people were injured after a tornado struck a Texas county Tuesday evening, officials said.
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Nearly two dozen people were injured after a tornado struck a Texas county Tuesday evening, officials said.
A possible tornado was first reported shortly before 5:40 p.m. near the town of Salado, Bell County Judge David Blackburn said. It traveled about 7 miles, and large trees were torn down and buildings destroyed, he said.
“The damage, while significant, it certainly could have been worse,” he told reporters, adding he was thankful there was no loss of life.
Of the 23 people injured, 12 were taken to area hospitals and one person was in critical condition, he said. The other 11 either did not go to a hospital or were treated and released.
As severe storms swept through Texas, the National Weather Service warned of a confirmed tornado that was moving into southern Bell County, approaching Salado. It urged people to seek shelter and to get into bathtubs.
The government in Salado, population around 2,300, said in a statement that the tornado did not enter the town, which is about 50 miles north of Austin.
Blackburn said “there’s not much left” in the path of the storm.