Severe weather struck parts of Cooke and Denton counties in North Texas late Saturday night, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. Tornado warnings were issued, and the impact was particularly severe in Cooke County, where at least seven people lost their lives, including children. The death toll may rise as authorities continue their assessment.
The Tragic Toll
Cooke County Sheriff Ray Sappington reported that among the victims were three family members in a home near the community of Valley View, not far from the Texas-Oklahoma border. The tornado obliterated their house, leaving only debris behind. Sappington expressed grimly, “Sadly, we think that number is probably going to go up. There’s nothing left of this house. It’s just a trail of debris left. The devastation is pretty severe.” Additionally, at least two more children remain missing
Widespread Damage
The tornado caused extensive damage to an AP Travel Center south of Valley View and manufactured homes in a nearby RV park. Cars on Interstate 35 were overturned, and buildings along the service road adjacent to the Shell station at Lone Oak Road also suffered damage. The area affected lies in Cooke County, just north of its border with Denton County.
Community Response
Despite the destruction, the community rallied together. Volunteers, including Kendall Cross, assisted at a feeding center set up at Valley View United Methodist Church. Cross, who lives on a small horse farm east of I-35, expressed gratitude that her property sustained only minor damage. However, she recognized that other parts of the city were hit much harder. Pastor Beate Hall, who serves at Valley View United Methodist, led recovery efforts at the church, providing food and clothing to those affected
A Busy Month for Tornadoes
The recent tornadoes in North Texas are part of a larger pattern of severe weather across the region. In addition to the fatalities in Cooke County, at least two people were killed in Arkansas and two in Oklahoma during the same storm system. Hundreds of thousands of people were left without power, and the storm continued its path eastward, causing widespread damage.
As recovery efforts continue, communities in North Texas are coming together to support one another. The impact of this natural disaster will be felt for a long time, but resilience and compassion will help these communities rebuild.
