Valley View, Texas experienced devastating storms over the weekend, resulting in tragic loss of life and widespread destruction. At least 18 people lost their lives across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas due to severe weather conditions. The storms spawned at least 25 tornadoes, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake.
In Texas, seven individuals perished, with over 100 sustaining injuries as the severe weather system lashed out across the state. Governor Greg Abbott declared disaster declarations for 106 counties in Texas, where more than 200 homes were destroyed and 120 others were damaged. The storms caused significant damage in Cooke County, where residents were forced to seek shelter in a Shell gas station as a tornado tore through the area on Saturday night.
Tragically, two young children, ages 2 and 5, lost their lives in Cooke County, adding to the toll of the storm’s destruction. The Cooke County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that these children were among the seven fatalities in the region, located north of Dallas. The tornado that struck Cooke County was preliminarily classified as an EF-2 tornado with winds reaching up to 135 mph.
Further devastation was seen at the Gateway AP Travel Center in Valley View, where many individuals sought refuge as the storms ravaged the area. The Cooke County Sheriff’s Office reported that the storm caused significant damage to numerous homes and businesses, including the travel center. Emergency services were actively engaged in search and rescue operations to locate missing persons and provide aid to those injured in the storms.
In Arkansas, at least two individuals lost their lives due to a potential tornado that struck early Sunday morning. The severe weather system brought down trees and powerlines, causing significant damage in Benton County. Emergency response teams raced to the scene to rescue those trapped in the rubble, as the community grappled with the aftermath of the destructive storms.
The impact of the severe storms also extended to Oklahoma, where at least two individuals were killed when a possible tornado hit Pryor. The storms caused widespread damage across multiple Oklahoma counties, leading to power outages, downed trees, and injuries. Emergency responders worked diligently to assess the extent of the damage and provide assistance to those affected by the turbulent weather conditions.