In a devastating tornado outbreak that struck Cooke and Denton Counties in North Texas, more than 60 people were injured and several others lost their lives, including two children. The reported tornadoes tore through the region on Saturday night, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. The authorities fear that the death toll and the number of injuries may rise as recovery efforts continue.

The National Weather Service (NWS) will be conducting a survey to assess the extent of the damage caused by the tornadoes and provide details about their strength and path. Meanwhile, over 49,000 customers were still without power as of 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, as reported by Oncor, the electrical utility company.

Cooke County Sheriff, Ray Sappington, provided updates on the aftermath of the reported tornadoes. The hardest-hit area appears to be Valley View, where the storm outbreak inflicted significant damage. Sheriff Sappington confirmed the tragic deaths of at least seven individuals, including a 2-year-old and a 5-year-old, whose bodies were discovered on Sunday morning. A mobile home park and a Shell Station Travel Center in Valley View were severely impacted, with two fatalities reported in the mobile home park.

Terrifying video footage captured the moment two women found themselves caught in the destructive tornado while driving in Valley View. Texas Task Force One Search and Rescue joined the search efforts to locate victims in affected homes and businesses. The Shell Station Travel Center suffered major destruction, while dozens of people who sought refuge at the travel center along I-35 managed to survive.

Efforts were made to reunite those from the Shell station with their loved ones. They were bused to a QuikTrip gas station in Gainesville, which served as a reunification center. Additionally, the First Baptist Church community center on North Lee Street in Valley View opened a Red Cross shelter to provide support for those affected.

The storm, which also crossed Ray Roberts Lake, caused significant damage to the Lake Ray Roberts Marina and RVs in Sanger. Docks were torn up, and numerous boats sunk or sustained damage. Denton County reported that several injured individuals were transported to hospitals via ambulance and CareFlite, but the exact number of injuries is currently unknown.

Celina, located on the border of Denton and Collin Counties, was hit hard as well. Reports indicate that at least 10 to 15 homes in the area suffered severe damage or were completely destroyed. Kim Weston, a resident on Prairie Meadow Lane, returned home after the storm to find her house in ruins. Thankfully, she and her family were safe, but their house was a total loss. Weston expressed gratitude for their safety, mentioning that their neighbor's RV landed on their house, which was the only part left standing.

Collin County reported widespread debris across the affected area on Sunday morning, prompting their public works team to assess the damage and begin cleanup efforts.

As the affected communities rally together to support one another and start the long road to recovery, authorities and residents are left grappling with the aftermath of this tragic tornado outbreak.