Natural Disaster
At Least 7 Dead, Dozens Injured in Tornado Outbreak in North Texas
The severe weather event has caused widespread destruction, leaving communities grappling with the aftermath.
Valley View, Texas — A devastating tornado outbreak late Saturday night has left at least seven people dead and dozens more injured in North Texas, with the hardest-hit areas being Cooke and Denton counties.
The tornado, which touched down north of Denton, Texas, caused significant damage and casualties. Emergency response operations are ongoing, with authorities reporting multiple injuries and fatalities. Preliminary reports indicate that at least ten people are injured, and the death toll is expected to rise as rescue efforts continue.
In Cooke County, Sheriff Ray Sappington confirmed that at least five people, including children, were killed. Among the deceased were three family members in a home near Valley View, a community close to the Texas-Oklahoma border. The sheriff expressed concern that the number of fatalities could increase as search and rescue operations progress. "There’s nothing left of this house. It’s just a trail of debris left. The devastation is pretty severe," Sappington said.
The tornado caused extensive damage to the AN Travel Center south of Valley View and to manufactured homes in a nearby RV park. Rescue teams, including Texas Task Force One Search and Rescue, have been deployed to search for victims in homes and businesses. The storm also caused significant damage to the Lake Ray Roberts Marina east of Sanger, where medics and firefighters worked to extricate people from the wreckage. Despite the destruction, there were no known serious injuries reported at the marina.
In Denton County, the tornado flipped vehicles on Interstate 35 between Valley View and Sanger, causing major traffic disruptions. Multiple structures in the area were destroyed, and approximately 150 people were reportedly trapped under a collapsed gas station roof. The tornado also downed power lines, leading to widespread electricity outages. The city of Pilot Point reported that power was out for about 1,200 residents around midnight.
As the storm moved east across northern Denton County, it caused tornadic circulation over Ray Roberts Lake State Park and the Pilot Point areas. The National Weather Service in Fort Worth had issued tornado warnings, which were later canceled by the Denton County Office of Emergency Management by 11:45 p.m. Saturday.
The severe weather event was part of a larger storm system that affected parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. The National Weather Service had issued warnings for the Central and Southern Plains, where high temperatures and humidity fueled strong storms. The storm system brought torrential rains, large hail, and dangerous winds, making some roads impassable and causing further disruptions.
Sheriff Sappington urged locals to steer clear of the storm damage, citing numerous reports of downed power lines and gas leaks that could pose significant risks. Despite the devastation, he expressed confidence in the community's ability to recover. "We'll rebuild," he said. "It's Texas. We can rebuild property. But the loss of life is just tragic. It's always tragic. That's what hurts the most."
As the sun rose on Sunday morning, the full extent of the damage became more apparent. Residents and authorities began the arduous task of assessing the destruction and starting the recovery process. The community of Valley View, in particular, suffered heavy damage, with homes razed and lives lost.
The storm system is expected to continue moving east, potentially bringing more severe weather to other regions. The National Weather Service has warned of the possibility of additional tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds as the storm progresses.
In the wake of the disaster, local authorities are urging residents to monitor local media for updated emergency and weather information, to be prepared to move to safe locations if new warnings are issued, and to postpone driving until weather conditions improve. The community's resilience will be tested in the coming days as they work to rebuild and recover from this tragic event.