At least 11 people have lost their lives and dozens have been injured as a series of tornadoes wreaked havoc across parts of northern Texas, causing extensive damage to buildings and leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

The hardest-hit areas were Denton and Cooke counties, where seven people lost their lives. Cooke County Sheriff Ray Sappington expressed his concern, stating that many more were injured and the casualty count was expected to rise. "We're still in search and rescue mode right now. I hope we can still find survivors," he told US media. The sheriff revealed that two of the victims were young children, aged 2 and 5.

Footage from the affected areas showed a petrol station in Cooke County that had been nearly flattened, with twisted metal scattered amidst damaged vehicles. The tornadoes also overturned trucks, disrupted a highway near Dallas, and left tens of thousands of people without electricity.

Frank Soltysiak, a resident of a mobile home park in north Texas, shared his horrifying experience as his home was destroyed within minutes. "That was the most secure structure you could have gone to. And I come out, and everything is destroyed," he lamented. "In a matter of two minutes, it's gone, everything is gone."

The devastation was not limited to Texas as two people lost their lives in Arkansas and two in Oklahoma. Multiple injuries were reported in both states. In Arkansas, a 26-year-old woman was found dead outside a destroyed home in Olvey, while the other victim was from Benton County. Rogers, Arkansas, saw rescue efforts by police officials, who saved several people trapped under fallen trees, damaged power lines, and disrupted gas supply lines.

The National Weather Service had issued tornado warnings for parts of Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma ahead of the severe weather. The Central Plains of the United States, commonly known as Tornado Alley, are particularly susceptible to destructive tornadoes due to their geographical location and climate. May, in particular, sees a spike in the occurrence of severe tornadoes.

Looking ahead, the Met Office has cautioned about possible disruptions and flooding caused by thunderstorms, large hail, and heavy rainfall on Sunday. The affected communities are urged to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions to stay safe.

As the affected areas begin the process of recovery and rebuilding, thoughts and condolences go out to the families who have lost loved ones and those who have been injured. The resilience and determination of the affected communities, aided by emergency response teams, will undoubtedly play a critical role in overcoming this tragic event.