Tornado touches down in Dallas without warning overnight to wreak carnage with 111mph winds that destroy everything in its path as emergency services desperately hunt for casualties (30 Pics)

A violent tornado with winds of up to 111mph tore through Dallas on Sunday night, leveling buildings, tossing trailers and cutting power to thousands of homes. 
Rescuers launched a desperate overnight search for casualties in the city while officials issued a Tornado Watch across most of North Texas as the weather phenomenon tore through the state.  
The National Weather Service confirmed that a twister touched down near Love Field Airport just before 9pm before moving approximately 17 miles northeast through the city as residents of Dallas and Ellis counties were warned to take shelter. 
More than 175,000 Oncor customers lost power due to the storms - including around 60,000 of those customers in Dallas - according to the city, which opened a shelter at around 2am.  

Hail the size of baseballs was seen by residents as fire officials said they were responding to multiple calls about people injured by broken glass.
There were no reports of fatalities or serious injuries in the aftermath of the tornado, but three people were taken to hospital for evaluation of non-life-threatening injuries.

A violent tornado struck North Dallas on Sunday night, causing a convenience store to collapse and damaging several other structures. Dramatic video posted on social media captured the mammoth twister with winds estimated at 111mph
A violent tornado struck North Dallas on Sunday night, causing a convenience store to collapse and damaging several other structures. Dramatic video posted on social media captured the mammoth twister with winds estimated at 111mph
Extensive damage is seen at a Dallas Fire-Rescue station after it was struck by a tornado on Sunday night
Extensive damage is seen at a Dallas Fire-Rescue station after it was struck by a tornado on Sunday night
The devastated fire station is seen in this photo shared by Dallas Fire-Rescue Department following the tornado
The devastated fire station is seen in this photo shared by Dallas Fire-Rescue Department following the tornado
An overturned trailer is seen in a pile of debris after the storm ripped through the city
An overturned trailer is seen in a pile of debris after the storm ripped through the city 
The storm crumpled a construction supply store along Harry Hines near Walnut Hill Lane
The storm crumpled a construction supply store along Harry Hines near Walnut Hill Lane
No injuries have been confirmed but officials said they were responding to multiple calls about people injured by broken glass
No injuries have been confirmed but officials said they were responding to multiple calls about people injured by broken glass
Cars and and a tractor trailer are seen stalled on a highway amid scattered debris after the tornado hit
Cars and and a tractor trailer are seen stalled on a highway amid scattered debris after the tornado hit
A Twitter user shared a photo of lightening erupting from the massive storm cell over Dallas as the tornado touched down
A Twitter user shared a photo of lightening erupting from the massive storm cell over Dallas as the tornado touched down 
Officials say an unknown number of homes had their roofs ripped off by the tornado
Officials say an unknown number of homes had their roofs ripped off by the tornado 
Social media was flooded with dramatic photos and videos of the tornado descending from the sky as users expressed shock over the sudden storm at the end of a sunny fall weekend. 
NWS meteorologist Jason Godwin said the size and severity of the tornado won't be known until daylight comes Monday morning. 
Seven people escaped a structure that collapsed in northwest Dallas, but Dallas Fire-Rescue were searching to see if anyone was left inside, spokesman Jason Evans said. 
Search teams conducted primary assessments on accessible structures for six hours overnight, but their efforts were 'hampered by limited access and lack of proper lighting'.
A second set of teams will resume search efforts in daylight, Evans added. 
On Twitter, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport said its ramps were closed as a safety measure and departures were delayed at least until 12.30am. 
Damage in Dallas was limited to an area bordered by Royal Lane to the north and Northwest Highway to the south, as well as Harry Hines Boulevard to the west and Interstate 75 to the east - essentially, northwest Dallas.
Evans said personnel initially responded to calls including 'everything from power lines down, to fallen trees to people being injured inside of their homes by broken glass'. 
Fire-Rescue's own Station 41 was left 'uninhabitable' when high winds stripped the roof and other parts, but no firefighters were injured.  
Another social media user shared a photo of the large wind column touching down near her home in Dallas last night
Another social media user shared a photo of the large wind column touching down near her home in Dallas last night 
More than 112,000 Oncor customers lost power - around 60,000 in Dallas - due to the storms, according to the firm
More than 112,000 Oncor customers lost power - around 60,000 in Dallas - due to the storms, according to the firm
Mangled power lines could be seen hanging over the street in North Dallas near Preston Road and Royal Lane last night
 Mangled power lines could be seen hanging over the street in North Dallas near Preston Road and Royal Lane last night
A tornado is seen in North Dallas, Texas, as the storm ripped through the state with winds of up to 111mph
A tornado is seen in North Dallas, Texas, as the storm ripped through the state with winds of up to 111mph
A Home Depot in Dallas, Texas, was seen with the roof badly damaged in the wake of the tornado last night, in an images posted on Instagram
A Home Depot in Dallas, Texas, was seen with the roof badly damaged in the wake of the tornado last night, in an images posted on Instagram 
Roads towards Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport were left with debris scattered across the carriageway. Ramps to the airport were closed as a safety measure and departures were delayed at least until 12.30am
Roads towards Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport were left with debris scattered across the carriageway. Ramps to the airport were closed as a safety measure and departures were delayed at least until 12.30am
Damage to the KNON-FM radio station studio that hosts 'Reckless Rock Radio' is seen after a tornado touched down in Dallas, Texas, last night
Damage to the KNON-FM radio station studio that hosts 'Reckless Rock Radio' is seen after a tornado touched down in Dallas, Texas, last night
The map above shows the path the tornado is believed to have taken through North Dallas. it started north of Irving and moved through north Dallas, ending just south of Richardson
The map above shows the path the tornado is believed to have taken through North Dallas. it started north of Irving and moved through north Dallas, ending just south of Richardson
Dallas Fire-Rescue said one of its own stations sustained significant damage during the storms overnight, and included photos that appeared to show a collapsed roof and debris. 
Evans said in another release that none of the firefighters at Station 41 were hurt, but the station was left with the roof, and other parts of the structure, was mostly removed by the high winds.
All tornado warnings have been lifted and there are no flash flood warnings, the NWS added.
Local news outlets reported that several structures in North Dallas had been damaged, including a convenience store that collapsed when struck by unrelenting winds. 
Some residents saw hail the size of baseballs falling during the fearsome storm as it touched down and tore through the state.  
'It was exactly one tornado that hit at 9:02pm,' said David Roth, adding that it was a powerful storm but crews needed to survey the damage by daylight to assess its strength.
'We also saw golf ball and baseball-sized hail in some areas and a narrow swath of north Dallas that got between one to three inches of rain,' Roth said, or the equivalent of 2.5cm to 7.6cm. 
A radio station, KNON-FM, went off the air as the studio suffered major damage from the tornado. Lew Morris, one of the hosts of 'Reckless Rock Radio' was preparing for the show at the station while another show was broadcasting. 
Morris said the power at the station went out first, followed by the 'distinctive whistle' of a tornado within three minutes. 
The tornado seen in Rockwall, Texas last night. The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado touched down in Dallas, causing structural damage and knocking out electricity to thousands
The tornado seen in Rockwall, Texas last night. The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado touched down in Dallas, causing structural damage and knocking out electricity to thousands
Powerful tornado winds of up to 111mph tore through Dallas flattening buildings, plunging tens of thousands into darkness and placing the entire city under a dangerous storm warning
Powerful tornado winds of up to 111mph tore through Dallas flattening buildings, plunging tens of thousands into darkness and placing the entire city under a dangerous storm warning
Hail the size of baseballs was seen during the savage storm last night. Pictured (above) is a damaged house in Dallas, Texas
Hail the size of baseballs was seen during the savage storm last night. Pictured (above) is a damaged house in Dallas, Texas
Damaged vehicles and road signs were seen strewn across highways in Dallas. All tornado warnings have been lifted and there are no flash flood warnings, according to officials
Damaged vehicles and road signs were seen strewn across highways in Dallas. All tornado warnings have been lifted and there are no flash flood warnings, according to officials 
Residents of Dallas and Ellis counties were instructed to take shelter immediately after two supercells were reported in the area
Residents of Dallas and Ellis counties were instructed to take shelter immediately after two supercells were reported in the area
He added there were three staffers in the building, which he described as having a lot of large glass windows. He told the host of the show that had been broadcasting to follow him to the bathroom, to get away from all the glass.
'We then heard the building shaking and could hear the glass windows shattering everywhere along with debris banging around. We waited until all the noise died down. We walked out to see the studio he was just broadcasting from destroyed.' 
Morris - whose own car was covered by a tree - said the third staff member took shelter in a stairwell. It's unclear when the station will begin broadcasting again, but Morris says he's heard there might be a temporary set-up from which they can broadcast.
Former President George Bush and his wife Laura live in the area. A spokesperson confirmed that the first couple were not harmed in the tornado and said they sent their prayers to all who were.     
The weather did not affect the Dallas Cowboys' football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Arlington, to the west of Dallas. 
Scanner traffic reportedly captured fire and rescue officials confirming a collapse 'at the Home Depot', as first responders investigated gas leaks and conducted searches. 
An apartment complex near the intersection of Glenrio Lane and Ricksaw Drive in Dallas saw the front torn off in the high winds. 
An air conditioning unit is seen crushed on the sidewalk after having been dislodged by the strong winds
An air conditioning unit is seen crushed on the sidewalk after having been dislodged by the strong winds
First responders worked to clear the roads in Dallas after debris was left scattered across the carriageways following the powerful tornado last night
First responders worked to clear the roads in Dallas after debris was left scattered across the carriageways following the powerful tornado last night 
A tree landed across a Land Rover in Far North Dallas, near Preston and Royal, last night after a tornado struck, damaging homes and vehicles
A tree landed across a Land Rover in Far North Dallas, near Preston and Royal, last night after a tornado struck, damaging homes and vehicles 
Many roads, including major freeways, were closed as emergency crews worked to assess the damage and clear debris
Many roads, including major freeways, were closed as emergency crews worked to assess the damage and clear debris
An uprooted tree in Dallas after a tornado tore through the state. Buildings were flattened and tens of thousands were plunged into darkness
An uprooted tree in Dallas after a tornado tore through the state. Buildings were flattened and tens of thousands were plunged into darkness
The Reckless Rock Radio station studio is seen after the tornado tore through Dallas. The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado touched down on Sunday night
The Reckless Rock Radio station studio is seen after the tornado tore through Dallas. The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado touched down on Sunday night
The storm left a miles-long swath of destruction through Dallas, hitting near the Love Field airport in the city's north, the National Weather Service's (NWS) Weather Prediction Center in College Park Maryland said early on Monday. 
A clerk at the store reported that everyone who was inside the building made it out unscathed. 
Dallas resident Tina Delvin said she and her family managed to get out of their home safely but that the structure was a 'total loss'.
'I heard all the snapping of the trees and the wind blowing, and so I climbed into this bedroom closet, and just as I got in there, the roof blew off,' Devlin told NBC Dallas-Fort Worth. 
'I just thank God we're alive. I haven't cried any - I've just been panicked.'
CBS 11 Chief Meteorologist Scott Padgett said that based on the damage that has already been reported, the tornado brought wind speeds of up to 111mph.
The Dallas Police Department said officers went door-to-door checking on residents in affected neighborhoods.
North of Dallas, the city of Richardson said in a release that thoroughfares 'used by thousands of morning commuters' will be closed while workers clear debris and repair downed traffic lights. 
No injuries in the affluent suburb were reported. Richardson is home to the University of Texas at Dallas and bills itself as 'the second largest employment center in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metro area'. 
A image posted on Instagram showed a damaged house with a large section of the roof missing in Dallas, Texas, last night as a tornado ravaged the state
A image posted on Instagram showed a damaged house with a large section of the roof missing in Dallas, Texas, last night as a tornado ravaged the state 
Many buildings were damaged and power cables were downed during the tornado, which hit winds of up to 111 mph last night
Many buildings were damaged and power cables were downed during the tornado, which hit winds of up to 111 mph last night
The Dallas Independent School District said several campuses sustained 'significant damage' and will be closed on Monday. 
The city of Sachse, a northeast suburb of Dallas, said six houses 'sustained significant high-wind damage after severe weather moved through the area Sunday night.' 
Four homes were left uninhabitable, but no injuries had been reported. 
Many roads, including major freeways, were closed as emergency crews worked to assess the damage and clear the carriageways of debris. 
Dallas police said officers in one part of the city were going door-to-door to check on residents.
Officials said the severe weather watch would remain in effect until 2am CST in North Texas as tornadoes, high winds and large hail were forecasted across parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri. 
The storm happened as multiple severe thunderstorm watches and warnings covered portions of four counties, including Dallas County, and more stormy weather was expected in the area during the overnight hours.  
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said the city of Dallas has opened the Bachman Recreation Center for those seeking shelter after being displaced by the storms. 
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