An American Red Cross emergency response vehicle drives through a hard-hit neighborhood in Valley View, Texas, after an EF-3 tornado struck the community on May 25.
American Red Cross sheltering and recovery efforts continue two weeks after deadly tornadoes ravaged communities in North Texas on the night of Saturday, May 25, 2024.
Unfortunately, the destruction wasn’t over. Severe weather battered communities stretching from Levelland, west of Lubbock, to Longview in East Texas — more than 500 miles apart. Red Cross disaster workers have conducted disaster assessments on thousands of homes, staffed eight shelters, served thousands of meals and snacks and provided comfort and care to affected and displaced residents.
The EF-3 tornado that struck Valley View in Cooke Count passed into Collin County, striking the City of Celina as well. Wind speeds were measured at 135 mph. The supercell storm that spawned the tornado covered a 100-plus mile-long path of destruction, lasting over three hours from 9:30 p.m. on Saturday until 1 a.m. Sunday morning, with four confirmed tornados touching down.
The Cooke County Sheriff's Office confirmed that seven people lost their lives and more than 60 were injured from the tornado. The seven fatalities included four children and three adults. The sheriff told the Associated Press, “It's just a trail of debris left. The devastation is pretty severe.”
Celina resident Margaret Barton awoke to an urgent phone call from her daughter that Saturday night. Her daughter told her to take shelter immediately because a tornado was headed straight toward them. Barton, her husband and their dogs ran directly to their windowless bathroom and sheltered for 40 long minutes.
“As alerts came in and our bathroom lights flashed, we could feel the atmosphere change almost instantly,” Barton recalled. “My husband and I leaned over to hold each other tight and cover our dogs.”
The tornado tore off the ceiling above them. Boards and sheetrock flew around them while rain poured down on them. Barton called 911 as soon as the tornado passed, and then she reached out to Red Cross for assistance.
With rubble, boards and dangerous debris surrounding them, the Bartons waited for the Celina Fire Department to arrive. Shouting for help, to safely assist them out of the rubble that was once their home. The fire department passed the Bartons and their dogs like a hand-to-hand assembly line to safety.
“I’m most gracious for the care they gave us as they got us out of there," Barton said.
During her interaction with the Red Cross, Barton reminisced about working with the Red Cross as a Girl Scout: “I remember others would call them, yet this is the first time I had to call them. Thank you for coming and being here for us. I appreciate what the Red Cross does and the support you've shown me today.”
Harrowing stories like the Bartons’ have become all too familiar for families recovering from extreme weather across Texas. The Red Cross will continue to offer support and care for the needs of those who have been affected.
You can help the Red Cross provide for those in need by donating time, money or blood at redcross.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).
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