Three additional deaths were reported in Collin County, said Chris Havey, a spokesman for the sheriff`s office. He declined to release any more information until authorities can fully assess the situation.
In some neighborhoods in Garland, the storms ripped facades off houses, leaving gaping holes. Cars that had been in driveways ended up inside homes after the tornado barreled through, witnesses said.
Officials said earlier that five of the deaths were related to vehicles hit by a tornado in southeast Garland. Garland resident Pat McMillian said the tornado left neighborhoods in darkness.
"All I heard was the roaring of the tornado, and my mom told us to get in the bathroom," McMillian said. "Then we went across the hall to make sure everyone was OK. The church across the street was destroyed."
Afterward, they left their house and sought shelter elsewhere. "We are in our car now, and I`m not sure where we are going to go," McMillian added. "It`s extremely hot, and there is no power."
Lafayette Griffin and his family hid under a mattress and prayed as the tornado hit. "It was terrifying. It was terrifying," he said. "They didn`t know if they were going to make it."
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