Dallas officials set curfews following tornado attack.
Dallas officials ordered a curfew to residents and tourists on Monday, Oct. 21. The announcement was made after a powerful tornado caused significant damage to homes, cars, businesses, and schools.
In a Reuters report, the Dallas Police Department (DPD) urged residents to stay indoors between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. They likewise advised the non-residents to avoid the areas where the tornado left casualties.
"DPD is urging residents to remain vigilant and not enter the impacted areas for their [safety]," the department said. They added they received reports on looting that turned out to be false.
Meanwhile, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Fort Worth confirmed, via visual evidence, that a tornado started on the ground north of Interstate 635 and east of U.S. Highway 75 at around 10:30 a.m. CDT Sunday.
The city's website told that three people had been hospitalized for non-life threatening injuries attributed to the storm.
The National Weather Service gave the tornado a rating of EF3 with maximum winds of 140 miles per hour (approximately 225 kilometers per hour). Their survey teams have likewise confirmed three tornadoes transpired across the region that night.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, on Monday afternoon, issued a disaster declaration for 16 counties due to the severe storms. The announcement made the state resources available to areas impacted by the damaging thunderstorms.
Dallas IDS suspends Monday classes
The tornado also caused the Dallas Independent School District to cancel Monday classes at 19 of its campuses, Superintendent Michael Hinojosa said in a press conference aired in KXAS-TV. Hinojosa noted the insurance adjusters report that the district Walnut Hill Elementary School and Cary Middle School would likely be a "total loss."
They likewise posted in their official Twitter account that six campuses sustained significant damage from the storm.
As crews continue to assess damages, our list of closures may change throughout the night. David G. Burnet ES will also be closed Monday, October 21. Thank you for your patience. https://t.co/avsYgcFZT8 — Dallas ISD Media (@DallasISDMedia) October 21, 2019
Meanwhile, Monica Badillo, a Twitter netizen, posted together with images of shattered windows and scattered debris at Primerose School in Dallas, where she serves as an employee.
#DallasTornado you took my job! my school! my second home!! no words can describe how heart broken the primerose family is! we will rebuild and come back stronger️ primerose school of preston hollow i love you pic.twitter.com/V4DTbvRM2P — Monica ♡ (@monicabadilloo) October 21, 2019
City authorities said several residents were expected to stay in a leisure complex near Love Field Airport. Transport authorities said numerous roads were blocked, and the tornado caused traffic chaos.
Officials to continue assessing damages
The Police Department and Fire Department continued the assessments of damaged structures at 9 a.m. CDT Tuesday. Thirteen city facilities sustained damage as a result of the storm, they said. However, the fire officials said it would take another day to have a final assessment of the tornado's damage in the city.
A spokesperson for power company Oncor announced that about 150,000 residents were left without electricity, according to Newsweek. But nearly 37,000 residents remained without power in Dallas County as of 12:30 a.m. CDT Tuesday.
The announcement added some residents should prepare for a possible multi-day outrage as destroyed electric equipment is being rebuilt.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said at a Monday press conference that the city was "incredibly fortunate" that no reported fatalities or serious injuries was reported yet.
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