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June 15 (UPI) -- A tornado tore through the small town of Perryton on Thursday night, killing three people and injuring dozens more after thunderstorms and extreme weather hit the southern United States for a second day. "Our thoughts are with those in Perryton, TX tonight," the Nation Weather Service's office in Amarillo said in a statement.
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"A devastating tornado changed many lives there this evening and many homes and businesses destroyed. We are thinking about you all and praying for you."
Perryton Fire Fire Chief Paul Dutcher confirmed to NBC News that three people had died. Kelly Judice, Ochiltree General Hospital in the city, told The New York Times that between 50 and 75 people were being treated for injuries ranging from cuts to traumas at the facility, while said 10 patients with life-threatening injuries were sent to larger hospitals.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday night issued a state of emergency to deploy resources and assistance to those in need.
"We remain ready to quickly provide any additional resources needed over the course of this severe weather event," he said in a statement.
Earlier in the evening, the NWS Amarillo office said the tornado was confirmed north of the town and moving eastward at 20 mph.
"Take shelter if in the path of this dangerous storm!" officials warned.
The storms have cleared the majority of the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles with "severe weather risk" continuing to diminish.
The Texas Department of Transportation said that its crews were assisting with recovery from the damage and urged drivers to avoid the roads in areas hit the hardest.
Earlier in the day, forecasters had warned that thunderstorms, high wind and hail were possible for the second day in a row. Tornados were also said to be possible in Kansas.
"Numerous severe thunderstorms [are] expected today across parts of the central and southern Plains," the National Weather Service said in an update Thursday.
"Additional chances for flash flooding and severe weather throughout the central/eastern Gulf Coast and Southeast, as well as into the central High Plains through Friday."
Poor air quality because of smoke from Canadian wildfires is also expected through the northern Plains and Midwest.
"A very active weather pattern impacting much of the nation with numerous types of hazardous weather is anticipated to continue through the start of this weekend," the NWS said in the update.
This comes after heavy weather slammed the South and U.S. Gulf Coast Wednesday, with tornadoes toppling trees and tearing the roofs off of buildings in Alabama and Georgia. Mississippi also dealt with strong winds Wednesday.
Officials in Alabama warned of strong winds up to 90 miles per hour through the weekend.
"Incredible mid-level jet streak for this time of year in the southern Plains ejects into western Oklahoma and North Texas by 5 pm. Explosive supercell development upon arrival of this arc. I expected earlier initiation of supercells and greater coverage with pattern hedge," meteorologist Reed Timmer Tweeted Thursday afternoon.
The National Weather Service also issued heat warnings across several southern states, with temperatures hitting up to 112 degrees around Houston.
Near-record high temperatures are also possible in San Antonio and Dallas as well as across parts of New Orleans.
