Mexico and Texas hit by deadly storms

Image source, AP

Image caption, The storm left a trail of destruction in Ciudad Acuna

A deadly tornado has hit Mexico, with hundreds of homes damaged or destroyed in the city of Ciudad Acuna.

Across the border in the United States, flooding has affected the state of Texas.

Authorities in Mexico say the tornado reached a speed of up to 186 miles an hour.

Image source, AFP

Image caption, Scores of cars were destroyed by the storm

Image source, Reuters

Image caption, Some were also left upended against buildings

At least fifteen people have died as a result of the disasters.

Image source, Reuters

Image caption, Many residents have lost their homes

Evaristo Lenin Perez, Mayor of Ciudad Acuna, said it was the first tornado to hit the city since it was founded more than 100 years ago.

Rescuers are searching the damaged homes for survivors.

Image source, Reuters

Image caption, A passenger bus was flipped over and twisted by the force of the storm

"There are cars on top of houses... it is total chaos," local resident Maria del Rosario Ramirez told Mexican newspaper La Jornada.

大象传媒 reporter Katy Watsons said: "The tornado only lasted a short moment but that was enough to devastate a community."

"It struck at a busy time in the morning - people were driving or taking public transport to work."

Image source, AP

Image caption, The Blanco river basin in Texas was one of the worst hit areas

"The army is helping to search for missing people and neighbouring states have also said they will lend a hand in the rescue effort," she said.