At least 11 killed as tornado outbreak ravages parts of North Texas

At least 11 people have died after a series of tornadoes and other severe weather created havoc across North Texas Saturday evening.

Eight people died and 15 were injured in Garland, two people died in the unincorporated town of Copeville and another died in Blue Ridge, according to Fox 4 News and the Associated Press.

Four people who were killed were involved in traffic accidents during the massive storm, according to Garland police spokesman Joe Harn. At least three people who died were found in vehicles, Garland Police Lt. Pedro Barineau said, though it's unclear if they were among the four involved in traffic accidents. Barineau added that some cars appeared to be thrown from Interstate 30 and George Bush Turnpike when the tornado hit about 6:45 p.m. Saturday. It wasn't known whether that was the case for the people found in the vehicles.

Collin County Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Harvey confirmed the three 
non-Garland deaths to the Associated Press, but didn’t provide the details of their deaths.

Rowlett police spokesman Det. Cruz Hernandez said several people were injured, though the number was not known. Two families were barricaded in their homes, he said.

"As of right now, we are still in the search and rescue mode. We still have some homes that have been demolished and not everyone in the homes has been accounted for," Hernandez said.

About 600 structures were damaged, the majority of which were single-family homes. Barineau called it "total devastation."

Tornado warnings in the North Texas area were issued Saturday afternoon and continued through the night as the dangerous weather started to occur in parts of Collin, Dallas, and Ellis Counties, according to Fox 4 News. A Garland police spokesman told the Fox affiliate that a tornado hit the southeast part of Garland near I-30 and the Bush Turnpike, damaging several houses and an apartment complex.

“There are reports of many people injured and we’re working with the fire department to dispatch them to where fires have been reported,” Garland police officer Pedro Barineau told Fox 4 News. “If you don’t need to be out, don’t be out looking around.”

Dallas County Health and Human Service Director Zack Thompson said the area “looks like a war zone.”