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PHOTOS: Daylight reveals destruction after tornado tears through Cooke and Denton counties

By Tom Johanningmeier , Amanda McCoy and Harrison Mantas

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North Texas tornado

Seven people were killed when a line of storms moved through southern Cooke and northern Denton counties late Saturday night. Damage stretched from Valley View to Ray Roberts State Park.

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Sunday morning’s daylight showed the destruction from a line of severe storms cut across southern Cooke and northern Denton counties late Saturday. At least seven people were killed, according to the Cooke County Sheriff’s Office.

Debris surrounds a home in Valley View on Sunday, May 26, 2024, after severe storms moved through Denton and Cooke counties.
Debris surrounds a home in Valley View on Sunday, May 26, 2024, after severe storms moved through Denton and Cooke counties. Amanda McCoy amccoy@star-telegram.com
A lone horse grazes while surrounded by destruction from severe storms on Lone Oak in Valley View on Sunday, May 26, 2024.
A lone horse grazes while surrounded by destruction from severe storms on Lone Oak in Valley View on Sunday, May 26, 2024. Amanda McCoy amccoy@star-telegram.com
Damage on Lone Oak Road in Valley View on Sunday, May 26, 2024, after severe storms that moved through Cooke and Denton counties on Saturday.
Damage on Lone Oak Road in Valley View on Sunday, May 26, 2024, after severe storms that moved through Cooke and Denton counties on Saturday. Amanda McCoy amccoy@star-telegram.com
Extensive damage to a Shell travel station on Lone Oak Road in Valley View on Sunday, May 26, 2024. Severe storms that moved through Cooke and Denton counties on Saturday.
Extensive damage to a Shell travel station on Lone Oak Road in Valley View on Sunday, May 26, 2024. Severe storms that moved through Cooke and Denton counties on Saturday. Amanda McCoy amccoy@star-telegram.com
A Shell travel center on Lone Oak Road in Valley View, Texas, on Sunday, May 26, 2024, after severe storms moved through Cooke and Denton counties on Saturday.
A Shell travel center on Lone Oak Road in Valley View, Texas, on Sunday, May 26, 2024, after severe storms moved through Cooke and Denton counties on Saturday. Amanda McCoy amccoy@star-telegram.com
A gas station at Lone Oake Road and Interstate 35 on Sunday, May 26, 2024, after severe storms hit Valley View and Cooke County, Texas on Saturday.
A gas station at Lone Oake Road and Interstate 35 on Sunday, May 26, 2024, after severe storms hit Valley View and Cooke County, Texas on Saturday. Harrison Mantas hmantas@star-telegram.com
A gas station at Lone Oak Road and Interstate 35 in Valley View, Texas, on Sunday, May 26, 2024, after a line of severe storms rolled through Cooke County. The Cooke County Sheriff’s Office said 60 to 80 people took shelter in the gast station.
A gas station at Lone Oak Road and Interstate 35 in Valley View, Texas, on Sunday, May 26, 2024, after a line of severe storms rolled through Cooke County. The Cooke County Sheriff’s Office said 60 to 80 people took shelter in the gast station. Harrison Mantas hmantas@star-telegram.com
Debris on Lone Oak Road near Interstate 35 in Valley View, Texas, on Sunday, May 26, 2024, after severe storms hit Cooke County on Saturday. The Sheriff’s Office said 60 to 80 people took shelter in a nearby gas station.
Debris on Lone Oak Road near Interstate 35 in Valley View, Texas, on Sunday, May 26, 2024, after severe storms hit Cooke County on Saturday. The Sheriff’s Office said 60 to 80 people took shelter in a nearby gas station. Harrison Mantas hmantas@star-telegram.com
New homes on CR 200 west of Lone Star Refuge RV Park in Cooke County, Texas, on Sunday, May 26, 2024, after severe storms moved through the area on Saturday.
New homes on CR 200 west of Lone Star Refuge RV Park in Cooke County, Texas, on Sunday, May 26, 2024, after severe storms moved through the area on Saturday. Harrison Mantas hmantas@star-telegram.com

An estimated 60 to 80 people were injured when the storm hit the AP Travel Center, where a Shell gas station and restaurants were located at the intersection of I-35 and Lone Oak Road. Most of the deaths were reported at FRF Estates, a mobile home park, where crews continued search-and-rescue early Sunday morning.

Marina Circle on Lake Ray Roberts took a direct hit, but there were no known serious injuries, according to a post Sunday morning on the marina’s Facebook page.

Debris scattered across the RV park at Ray Roberts Marina on Sunday, May 26, 2023, after it was heavily damaged Saturday night when a line of severe storms moved through Cooke County.
Debris scattered across the RV park at Ray Roberts Marina on Sunday, May 26, 2023, after it was heavily damaged Saturday night when a line of severe storms moved through Cooke County. Cody Copeland ccopeland@star-telegram.com
Severe storms damaged multiple boat slips at Ray Roberts Marina in Sanger on Sunday, May 26, 2024.
Severe storms damaged multiple boat slips at Ray Roberts Marina in Sanger on Sunday, May 26, 2024. Amanda McCoy amccoy@star-telegram.com
Severe storms damaged Ray Roberts Marina in Sanger on Sunday, May 26, 2024.
Severe storms damaged Ray Roberts Marina in Sanger on Sunday, May 26, 2024. Amanda McCoy amccoy@star-telegram.com
Severe storms damaged multiple boat slips at Ray Roberts Marina in Sanger on Sunday, May 26, 2024.
Severe storms damaged multiple boat slips at Ray Roberts Marina in Sanger on Sunday, May 26, 2024. Amanda McCoy amccoy@star-telegram.com
Bill Little uses binoculars to try to locate his boat amid the debris on Sunday, May 26, 2024. Severe storms damaged multiple boat slips at Ray Roberts Marina.
Bill Little uses binoculars to try to locate his boat amid the debris on Sunday, May 26, 2024. Severe storms damaged multiple boat slips at Ray Roberts Marina. Amanda McCoy amccoy@star-telegram.com
Sam Lee cleans up the debris of his brother’s RV at Ray Roberts Marina in Sanger on Sunday, May 26, 2024.
Sam Lee cleans up the debris of his brother’s RV at Ray Roberts Marina in Sanger on Sunday, May 26, 2024. Amanda McCoy amccoy@star-telegram.com
Amber Bryant stands near her RV on Sunday, May 26, 2024, after severe storms moved through the area. Bryant said she was pinned in her trailer and used her key fob to signal SOS.
Amber Bryant stands near her RV on Sunday, May 26, 2024, after severe storms moved through the area. Bryant said she was pinned in her trailer and used her key fob to signal SOS. Cody Copeland ccopeland@star-telegram.com
Bryan Looper, 57, of Sanger stands near wreckage at the Ray Roberts Marina RV park on Sunday, May 26, 2024. He said he pulled two people from the wreckage at the RV park at the Ray Roberts Marina. He said he had to move trees off the county road to reach the area.
Bryan Looper, 57, of Sanger stands near wreckage at the Ray Roberts Marina RV park on Sunday, May 26, 2024. He said he pulled two people from the wreckage at the RV park at the Ray Roberts Marina. He said he had to move trees off the county road to reach the area. Cody Copeland ccopeland@star-telegram.com

This story was originally published May 26, 2024 at 9:11 AM.

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North Texas tornado

Seven people were killed when a line of storms moved through southern Cooke and northern Denton counties late Saturday night. Damage stretched from Valley View to Ray Roberts State Park.

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