A powerful tornado tore through China's central Hubei province on Monday night, causing devastating damage and claiming at least 11 lives, according to state media. The violent storm, with wind speeds reaching up to 260 km/h (160 mph), also left more than 331 people injured.

The tornado destroyed thousands of homes, overturned vehicles, damaged farmland, and left communities struggling to recover. The Xinhua News Agency reported that more than 4,855 houses were damaged across Hubei, a province known as one of China's major industrial and automobile manufacturing centers.

Among the hardest-hit areas was Huanggang city, where the strength of the tornado was so extreme that it reportedly pulled a 30-year-old man out of his apartment on the 12th floor. Furniture, including a sofa and cabinets, was also swept away by the powerful winds. The man survived but remains in intensive care.

The storm's force was also strong enough to lift heavy trucks and carry them nearly 30 meters before dropping them.

Nearby Ezhou city also suffered severe destruction, with dramatic footage capturing the tornado tearing through neighborhoods. Five of the reported deaths occurred there.

Authorities described the disaster as causing enormous damage and confirmed that more than 3,000 emergency responders had been deployed to carry out rescue operations and assist affected residents.

Tornadoes are uncommon in Hubei province, with the last major event recorded in May 2021. Meteorologists believe this latest tornado developed as a result of Typhoon Maysak interacting with China's early summer rainy season.

The severe weather has affected other parts of the country as well. In the southern Guangxi region, heavy rainfall brought by Typhoon Maysak has triggered serious flooding, killing four people while eight others remain missing. Hundreds of residents were still awaiting evacuation as floodwaters continued to rise.

The storm has produced record-breaking rainfall in several areas, including Hengzhou city, where 24-hour precipitation records were exceeded.

Flooding also created an unusual danger after a snake breeding farm in a Hengzhou village was submerged, allowing more than 800 snakes to escape. Videos shared online showed snakes emerging from muddy floodwaters surrounding the village.

One resident was reportedly bitten and is receiving medical treatment, while local volunteers formed teams to capture the escaped reptiles. Officials said many of the snakes were harmless water snakes and rat snakes, but some were cobras, which are highly venomous.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered an all-out rescue and relief operation while urging authorities to provide assistance and temporary shelter for those displaced by the disaster.