Tornadoes Spotted Across Texas Amid Severe Weather (Updated)

AUSTIN, TX — Texas is within the path of severe weather moving into the region by Wednesday night in the wake of storms that have spawned tornadoes and created flooding over the last two weeks.

An estimated 85 million people — including those living in Texas — are in the path of severe weather through Wednesday night, Yahoo News reported. The imminent rains are part of a massive front from Texas into southeastern Oklahoma and into western Arkansas in an area that includes the Dallas metro area, according to the report.

In the Lone Star State, North Texas could be hit the hardest, according to forecasters. Shortly after the severe weather forecast was issued, sporadic counties — Collin, Denton and Rockwall among them — were placed under tornado warnings leading up to the entire region placed under the advisory, which is in effect until 8 p.m.

North Texas residents were being urged to take immediate shelter in light of the potential tornadoes, with the Dallas region zeroed in as a potential ground zero. Dallas resident Payton Potter, took time lapse video from his office as the storms descended on the city:

The specter of such activity invariably heightens concern whenever severe weather is predicted in Texas, which is particularly vulnerable to tornadic activity. Already, in the last few weeks, towns have been decimated as tornadoes touched down.

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Shortly after the severe weather forecast was issued, media outlets reported a tornado had touched down in Kemp, Texas, located northeast of the town of Terrell and east of Dallas, as reported by local media outlets.

Weather officials implored with the public to take immediate shelter after the tornado near Kemp was spotted:

Another storm chaser reported a likely tornado passing just east of Winnsboro, Texas, clocking its speed at 455 miles per hour. The storm was reportedly moving northeast toward the Winfield, Rocky Mound and Mount Pleasant region, the weather watcher reported.

In the Fort Worth region, spotters reported seeing a multi-vortex tornado near Road 3227 just southeast of the city of Canton, the county seat of Van Zandt County in East Texas some 60 miles east of Dallas. The powerful storm reportedly was moving to the northeast, prompting warnings from officials. "Everybody in the path needs to take shelter now, including the City of Canton!" National Weather Service officials implored the public via Twitter and other social media forums:

Some Canton residents braved the elements to snap pictures of the spotted tornado:

A resident in Gun Barrel City, Texas, a city lying on the eastern shore of Cedar Creek Reservoir fifty-five miles southeast of Dallas, tweeted a photo of a tornado seen there:

An EMS spokesman told a North Texas CBS affiliate that injuries resulted after the tornado swept through Gun Barrel. Details on the extent of those injuries were unknown by early Wednesday evening.

Another resident in Grand Saline, Texas, also east of Dallas, took a photo of a tornado passing over his house:

This has already been a particularly prolific tornado season, not just in Texas but elsewhere. The U.S. already has had 352 reported tornadoes in 22 states from California to New Jersey, Yahoo News reported. "In fact, this May has been the most active month for tornadoes since April 2011, when there were more than 800 reported tornadoes," the news site added.

As for tonight's expected weather, the National Weather Service calls it this way: "A widespread threat of severe weather is expected today from the southern Plains and Mid Mississippi/Ohio Valleys into the Mid-Atlantic. These storms will be capable of producing large hail, damaging winds, possible tornadoes and heavy rain, which may lead to flash flooding. Two areas of concern extend from St. Louis to Dallas and from Pittsburgh to New York City, Philadelphia and Washington D.C."

Ready.gov offers tips on preparing for severe weather. For more information, click here.