Washington, Apr 5 (IANS): Tornadoes have ripped through the US state of Texas, tossing tractor-trailers like toys, forcing airlines to cancel flights and causing widespread damage, CNN reported Wednesday.

In Lancaster, south of Dallas, roofs were stripped to bare plywood. About 300 buildings were damaged, according to the city's mayor. A citywide curfew was put in place, and a shelter was opened.

CNN affiliate WFAA broadcast a striking video of area damage, showing tractor-trailers being lifted and flipped like matchsticks. Ominous clouds filled the skies, making it as dark as night.

As many as 13 tornadoes might have touched down in north Texas Tuesday, said Jesse Moore, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Dallas-Fort Worth.

The severe weather affected flights and aircraft.

More than 110 aircraft at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport sustained various degrees of hail damage, the airport said.

By Tuesday evening, more than 47,000 homes and businesses in north Texas were without power, said a spokeswoman for Oncor Electric Delivery.