North Texas digs out from tornado damage

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DALLAS, April 4 (UPI) -- Rescuers searched flattened homes Wednesday to make sure no one was trapped in debris from a wave of tornadoes that swept through the Dallas/Forth Worth area.

The National Weather Service says at least six and as many as 13 tornadoes touched down in the metroplex Tuesday, smashing buildings and tossing tractor-trailers into the air.

At least seven people were injured in Arlington, Texas, including one person hospitalized with critical injuries, Fire Chief Don Crowson said.

The Forth Worth (Texas) Star Telegram said city officials estimate 428 Arlington homes were damaged Tuesday when a possible tornado struck the city's western edge. The National Weather Service is trying to determine if it was a tornado or straight-line winds, the newspaper said.

Some 1,400 passengers spent the night in the terminal at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport after they were stranded by the storms. American Airlines said 424 American and American Eagle flights were canceled Wednesday morning, The airline said 94 American and American Eagle aircraft were damaged by hail.

Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck said rescuers were searching Wednesday for any victims.

"We've dodged a bullet," CNN quoted him as saying. "We've done the primary search. We feel as though we have everybody now, but they won't give up until they have done all the other searches."

A citywide curfew was issued in Lancaster, Texas, were about 300 homes were damaged.

While residents described scenes of horror and devastation, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said it could have been much worse, CNN said.

"We're saddened by the damage the system did, but we've got nobody that's dead and no significant injures. It really is a miracle," he said.