Tornadoes Strike Northeast Texas

updated: May 30, 7:00 a.m.

A massive storm system that passed over the south central United States caused several tornadoes across Northeast Texas on Wednesday afternoon and evening. National Weather Service spotters identified tornadoes in Hunt, Kaufman, Rockwall, Van Zandt and Wood counties.

Three tornadoes reportedly touched down in and around Canton. The largest of the three, which struck around 5:15 p.m., caused major property damage in the downtown neighborhood of the city, located about 55 miles south of Commerce.

Van Zandt County sheriff’s deputies reported significant damage near Dallas Street and Trade Days Boulevard in downtown Canton. A Valero convenience store and gas station in downtown Canton suffered major damage. Buildings and power lines throughout the local area were hit by the tornado, officials said. So far, no serious injuries have been reported. Oncor Electric reports several hundred of its customers remained without power in Van Zandt County as of Thursday morning.;

At least two tornadoes are said to have hit Rockwall and Hunt counties Wednesday afternoon. Spotter video showed a tornado touching down in Rockwall, just north of Interstate 30, near the intersection of John King Boulevard and State Highway 66. Another twister was reported near Quinlan, south of Greenville. No injuries have been reported from those storms. Yet another tornado is believed to have touched down near Winnsboro, in Wood County.

Elsewhere in East Texas, Kaufman County officials reported several minor injuries resulting from a tornado that struck the northern shore of Cedar Creek Reservoir, about 50 miles southeast of Dallas.

Widespread property damage was reported from tornadoes and severe thunderstorms producing straight-line winds across the region. National Weather Service crews are expected to survey and report details about the storms on Thursday. 

This is a developing story and will be updated.