Multiple fatalities reported following tornado alerts in Cooke County and various areas of North Texas
A structure near Lone Oak Road and I-35, situated between Sanger and Valley View, sustained damages. In response to reports of a tornado on Saturday evening, the Denton Fire Department and other nearby agencies were attending to the scene, addressing both damage and injuries.
KERA News has reported that a tornado has been confirmed to have touched down in Northern Denton County, resulting in multiple casualties. The confirmation was made on May 26, 2024.
Late Saturday night, strong storms and possibly a tornado caused destruction in Cooke and Denton counties in North Texas, resulting in the deaths of at least seven individuals, including children.
Sheriff Ray Sappington of Cooke County reported to The Associated Press that three members of a family were found in a residence near the town of Valley View, which is located near the border of Texas and Oklahoma.
According to Sappington, it is unfortunate that the mentioned number is expected to increase. The house is completely destroyed and only a scattered trail of debris remains. The level of destruction is significantly severe.
According to Sappington, two additional children are currently unaccounted for.
Possible tornado damage is visible in the early morning hours of Sunday along the service road of Interstate 35 near the Shell station at Lone Oak Road. The buildings in this area, located in Cooke County just north of the Denton County border, have also been affected.
According to an article from AP News, strong thunderstorms moved through the area during the night and into Sunday, resulting in the deaths of two individuals in Arkansas and two in Oklahoma, as well as extensive destruction. This adds to the already active month for tornadoes, particularly in the Midwest.
According to officials, the AP Travel Center located south of Valley View and a nearby RV park with manufactured homes were severely damaged by a tornado that hit Cooke County. The tornado also caused cars to be flipped over on Interstate 35.
At the age of 27, Kendall Cross resides on a small horse farm located east of I-35 in Valley View. Along with several other volunteers, she provided assistance at a feeding center that was established at Valley View United Methodist on Sunday.
According to Cross, she took shelter in her closet with her dogs during the tornado. She expressed gratitude that her property only suffered minor destruction, such as broken windows and fallen trees.
According to her, we are fortunate that the horses, dogs, and people in our area are all doing well.
She was aware that the tornado had caused severe damage in other areas of the city. On Sunday morning, she delivered her donations to the church.
According to her, upon noticing that the situation in town had deteriorated slightly, she suggested that it would be wise for us to purchase dog food and diapers for the church.
At Valley View United Methodist, Pastor Beate Hall, aged 32, is responsible for leading recovery initiatives within the church.
During the weekend, the church acted as a welcoming place that provided coffee and snacks. However, now it has expanded to providing not only nourishment, but also clothing.
According to her, we currently have several items available, including deodorant and diapers. Additionally, there is an abundance of food in our possession.
In the past 24 hours, Hall has experienced a busy schedule. On Saturday night, at approximately 10 p.m., her family bombarded her with messages regarding the storm. Additionally, she communicated with members of her congregation via text to ensure their safety.
According to her, she took hold of her birth certificate and belongings and proceeded to sit in her bathtub while wearing her bike helmet for a period of time.
According to Hall, her house was not affected, however, she is aware that numerous residents in the Valley View community had a much more severe experience.
According to her, there are individuals who have no remaining possessions.
According to her, a few families managed to reach Denton before the storm arrived, but unfortunately, they have lost their beloved pets, precious photos, and even their homes.
According to her, the consequences of the storm will involve continuous efforts from the Red Cross, churches, the city, and the mayor.
Donations are currently being collected by the John Fortenberry Community Center, located at 101 S. Lee Street in Valley View.
According to a post on social media by the Denton Fire Department, emergency responders including medics and firefighters were dispatched to the Lake Ray Roberts Marina in Sanger, located in Denton County. Their mission was to rescue individuals who were trapped due to the destruction. Firefighters also conducted searches of nearby residences and recreational vehicles.
According to a Facebook post from Lake Ray Roberts Marina, on Sunday morning as the sun was rising, they reported taking a direct hit and are currently assessing the damage. The post states that many RVs were overturned, leaving multiple individuals trapped inside. However, all were successfully rescued and there were no reported serious injuries.
According to the post by the marina’s management, both the boat houses and boats suffered damage. The loss included the fuel dock, offices, and the dock cat named Ginger.
According to a news release, approximately 1,200 residents in Pilot Point experienced a power outage around midnight, as reported by the city officials.
The author of this article is Al Key and it was published in the Denton Record Chronicle.
On May 26, 2024, a possible tornado caused an 18-wheeler to overturn under the Lone Oak overpass on I35N in Denton County. A wrecker was called to remove the vehicle late Saturday/early Sunday.
On Saturday night, the Denton County Office of Emergency Management confirmed that a tornado had passed through Interstate 35, traveling between Sanger and Valley View.
As reported by the National Weather Service in Fort Worth, the storm traveled towards the east in northern Denton County, causing tornadic activity in the Ray Roberts Lake State Park and Pilot Point regions.
The previous tornado warning was canceled by the Denton County Office of Emergency Management at 11:45 p.m. on Saturday.
As per a post on social media by the Denton Fire Department, on Saturday evening, the city’s outdoor warning sirens were activated automatically due to a tornado warning that affected the northern part of the city. Whenever a tornado warning affects the city limits, all sirens will be activated.
A disaster declaration was issued by Collin County Judge Chris Hill on Sunday due to a reported tornado causing destruction in and around Celina. As a result, the county reported numerous homes destroyed and approximately 15,000 residents experiencing a power outage overnight. Fortunately, there were no major injuries or deaths reported.
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