At least seven people were hurt and the small east Texas town of Franklin sustained major damage on Saturday when a tornado touched down amid severe thunderstorms in the region, police and local media said.

At least one woman, who was pulled from the wreckage of her mobile home, sustained life-threatening injuries when the twister hit, USA Today reported.

"The city of Franklin sustained heavy damage from the storms," the Robertson County Sheriff's Office said in an internet alert. "If you are a resident of Franklin and can NOT access your home you are directed to the First Baptist Church."

Local television station KWTX-TV reported at least two mobile homes were damaged by the tornado, cars were overturned and power lines were down, leaving many of the town's 1,500 residents without electricity.

Power outages were reported in nearby communities as well as thunderstorms pounded the state and a swath of the U.S. South.

Franklin is about 65 miles (105 km) southeast of Waco, Texas.

Reuters