At least 11 killed by tornadoes in Dallas area

GARLAND, Texas, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Eleven people were killed by tornadoes that hit the Dallas, Texas, area on Saturday evening, and several more were wounded.

Many homes were destroyed, along with at least one apartment building. As of Sunday morning, 50,000 people were without power.

The National Weather Service issued tornado watches for 49 Texas counties Saturday afternoon, including Dallas County.

Saturday evening, a "large and extremely dangerous" tornado was reported near Glenn Heights, Texas, just south of Dallas. Forecasters called the conditions "life-threatening" saying that some mobile homes in the area "will be destroyed" and that "complete destruction" of many homes was possible.

As many as 11 tornadoes touched down in North Texas on Saturday night, according to reports.

Officials said five of the deaths were related to vehicles hit by a tornado in southeast Garland, Texas.

Six people were killed by tornadoes in Tennessee and one in Arkansas in recent days. Mississippi officials reported 60 storm-related casualties, and Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant issued a disaster declaration Thursday.