In the wake of a tornado that struck Temple, Texas, local authorities have issued an emergency declaration following significant destruction. The tornado, part of a severe weather system, tore through the city around 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, as confirmed by videos from residents and reported by CBS Austin. The City of Temple has urged its citizens to stay indoors due to the hazardous conditions on the roads, many of which are either closed or impassable.

In an effort to quickly respond to the crisis, the Wilson Recreation Center at 2205 Curtis B Elliot Dr. was transformed into a temporary shelter for those displaced by the storm, as per the CBS Austin report. Those unable to safely travel to the shelter were encouraged to call 254-298-5682 for transportation assistance. The disaster also led to major power outages, with Oncor confirming that 62,290 of its Bell County customers were left without electricity.

Given the extensive damage, Temple officials have decided to shut down various city facilities on Thursday, May 23. This includes the Temple Public Library, the Frank W. Mayborn Civic & Convention Center, and several others, according to KCEN-TV. To report emergencies like gas leaks, residents are advised to first call 911 and then reach out to Atmos Gas' emergency line at 866-322-8667.

The city is also set to hold a news conference at 10 a.m. on Thursday to update the public on the aftermath of the storms and to elucidate their planned response. In addition to local city closures, Bell County officials have announced that county offices will also be closed on Thursday due to the power outages.

The National Weather Service of Fort Worth has indicated it will conduct a storm survey to assess the damage across the affected areas. This survey, which aims to closely examine the path from Morgan's Point through Temple to Seaton in Eastern Bell County, will provide a comprehensive overview of the storm's impact, with a full report expected to be released by Thursday evening.