Seven dead, including two children, after Tornado Warning in Cooke and Denton counties

Severe thunderstorms in several North Texas counties late Saturday night resulted in seven fatalities, including two children, and caused extensive damage in Cooke and Denton counties, according to Cooke County Sheriff Ray Sappington.

Sappington confirmed the tragic news on Sunday morning, revealing that the bodies of a 2-year-old and 5-year-old were discovered amid the devastation. He noted that the AP Travel Center-Shell station on Lone Oak Road and the Frf Estates area were severely impacted, along with the mobile home and RV park neighborhood west of the gas station.

Despite no reported fatalities at the gas station where many sought refuge, Sappington disclosed that at least five fatalities were confirmed in the nearby neighborhood where search and recovery efforts were underway. He expressed concerns that the death toll might increase due to the extensive storm damage hindering access to affected areas.

The Denton County Fire Department reported rescuing individuals from Marina Circle at Lake Ray Roberts, where boats were tossed and buildings were twisted at Ray Roberts Marina. Leann Peterson, who sought shelter in a cooler at the marina, described the deafening sound of the storm’s impact and the extent of the damage upon emerging.

Emergency response and aid organizations have mobilized to assist the hard-hit area near Valley View, including the establishment of a feeding center at Valley View Methodist Church and a Red Cross assistance center at First Baptist Church Community Center.

Additionally, The Salvation Army has deployed an emergency mobile disaster unit to provide food and water at Lake Ray Roberts Marina.

Two teams from the National Weather Service are assessing the damage to determine the intensity and path of any tornadoes that touched down during the severe weather event. One team is surveying Montague County, while the other is focusing on Valley View in Cooke County.

This tornado outbreak marks the deadliest since an EF-4 tornado claimed 10 lives in North Texas on December 26, 2015. The widespread devastation caused significant injuries and property damage, underscoring the urgent need for response and recovery efforts.